The gingiva (gums) is the part of the oral mucosa that covers the alveolar bone and wraps around the necks of the teeth. It is divided into free gingiva, which forms a cuff around each tooth with a shallow sulcus, and attached gingiva, which is firmly bound to the bone. Healthy gingiva is pale pink, firm and often stippled.
| Location | Covers the alveolar processes of the maxilla and mandible and surrounds the necks of the teeth |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Superior alveolar nerves and infraorbital nerve (upper labial gingiva); Greater palatine and nasopalatine nerves (palatal gingiva); Buccal nerve and mental nerve (lower buccal and labial gingiva); Lingual nerve (lower lingual gingiva) |
| Blood Supply | Superior alveolar arteries; Inferior alveolar artery; Greater palatine artery; Buccal artery; Sublingual artery; Mental artery |
| Venous drainage |
|
| Lymphatic drainage |
|
Forms a tight seal around the necks of the teeth that protects the underlying periodontal ligament and bone from bacteria and chewing forces.
Bleeding on brushing is the main sign of gingivitis, the reversible early stage of gum disease caused by dental plaque. A normal gingival sulcus is up to about 3 mm deep; deeper pockets on probing suggest periodontitis with loss of attachment. Drugs such as phenytoin, ciclosporin and calcium channel blockers can cause gingival overgrowth, and swollen bleeding gums can be an early sign of leukaemia or scurvy.
Plaque-induced inflammation of the gums with redness, swelling and bleeding but no loss of bone; fully reversible with good oral hygiene.
Enlargement of the gums caused by drugs such as phenytoin, ciclosporin or nifedipine, worsened by poor plaque control.
Apical shift of the gum margin exposing the root surface, causing sensitivity and root caries; linked to periodontal disease and aggressive brushing.
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