Gingivitis is a general term for gingival diseases affecting the gingiva (gums). As generally used, the term gingivitis refers to gingival inflammation induced by bacterial biofilms (also called plaque) adherent to tooth surfaces.
It is becoming increasingly clear that the human microbiome – the collection of bacteria, viruses and fungi that live on and within us – significantly contributes to our health.
When you're smiling, the whole world smiles with you; but what happens when gum or tooth disease starts to dim your pearly whites? Now, researchers from Japan have found a bacterial signature that marks the shift from healthy teeth and gums to periodontitis.
Oral bacteria are ready to spring into action the moment a dental hygienist finishes scraping plaque off a patient's teeth.