gums
Meaning of gums: The gums are the firm tissue covering the jawbones and surrounding the base of the teeth, clinically termed the gingiva.
Definition of gums
The gums are the firm, pink tissue that covers the upper and lower jawbones and surrounds the base of each tooth, clinically referred to as the gingiva. The gums form a protective seal around the base of the teeth, helping to hold them in place and creating a barrier against bacteria and food particles that would otherwise reach the more delicate tissue and bone beneath.
Healthy gums are typically firm and pale pink, while inflamed gums can appear red, swollen, or prone to bleeding, changes most often related to the buildup of bacterial plaque along the gumline. Persistent gum inflammation, called gingivitis, can progress over time to periodontitis, a more advanced condition that affects the deeper supporting structures of the teeth, including bone.
Because the gums sit at the interface between the mouth's bacterial environment and the deeper structures supporting the teeth, their condition is closely tied to overall oral health.
Also known as
Used in a sentence
Examination revealed mild redness and swelling of the gums along the lower front teeth.
Good to know
Gum inflammation limited to the surface tissue, called gingivitis, is generally reversible, while periodontitis involves the deeper supporting structures and bone and is not reversed in the same way.