Gingiva
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Cross-section of a tooth with visible gums, or gingiva |
The
gingiva (
sing.:
gingiva), or
gums, consists of the mucosal tissue that lays over the .
The gingiva are naturally transparent; they are rendered red in color because of the
blood flowing through them. The gingiva are connected to the teeth and bone by way of the periodontal fibers (also known as PDL fibers). The gingiva are one of the four components of the
periodontium or
PDL, the other three being the
cementum (outermost layer of cells of the roots of teeth), the
bone and the
PDL fibers. The gingival cavity
microecosystem, fuelled by food residues and saliva, can support the growth of many microorganisms, of which some can be injurious to health. Improper or insufficient
oral hygiene can thus lead to many gingival and periodontal disorders, including
gingivitis or
pyorrhea, which are major causes for tooth failure. Recent studies have also shown that
Anabolic steroids are also closely associated with gingival enlargement requiring a gingivectomy for many cases.[
1]
*
Periodontal disease
