Gingivitis

Inflammation of the gingiva characterized by erythema, edema, and a tendency to bleed, without radiographic evidence of alveolar bone loss or periodontal attachment loss. Possible causes are dental plaque biofilm at the gingival margin, poor oral hygiene, hormonal changes, diabetes, leukemia, HIV/AIDS, vitamin C deficiency (scurvy), medications (phenytoin, calcium channel blockers), tobacco smoking, and hard-to-clean spots.