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Gingivitis refers to inflammation of the gums. The causes may include bacterial and viral infections and foreign material, such as hair, food, and plant material as well as irritating substances. The most common cause is accumulation of dental plaque. Plaque consists of oral bacteria and debris. Plaque eventually darkens with additional food substances and forms the deposition of minerals from saliva, forming the hard substance known as dental tartar or calculus. The surface tartar can be roughened, which makes it easier for additional tartar to adhere to the tooth. Blood, serum, and cellular debris from irritated gum tissue also darkens the tartar. The darker the tartar, generally the longer it has been present.
Gingivitis is a progressive disease, and the ealry stages (slight reddening of the gum margin) are difficult to see. As the disease progresses, inflammation intensifies, soreness increases, gums may bleed easily, ulcers may develop, and the breath worsens. Ulcers may also appear on the gums, and untreated gingivitis leads to more serious dental diseases and eventual loss of teeth.
The normal groove around the base of the teeth, called the sulcus, is up to 3 mm deep, and it provides an excellent pocket for plaque to collect. Bacteria in the plaque cause soreness, swelling, and reddening of the gum line. This allows the bacteria to invade the delicate structures that house the tooth's root(s). After this occurs, a more damaging and often permanent disease (periodontitis) begins.
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