Unlike the soft tissue linings of the lips and cheeks, most of the gums are tightly bound to the underlying bone which helps resist the friction of food passing over them.

Healthy gums are usually coral pink in light skinned people, and may be naturally darker with melanin pigmentation.

Both the type of periodontal therapy and homecare instructions given to patients by dental professionals and restorative care are based on the clinical conditions of the tissue.

In about half of individuals, it is demarcated from the adjacent, attached gums by a shallow linear depression, the free gingival groove.

This slight depression on the outer surface of the gum does not correspond to the depth of the gingival sulcus but instead to the apical border of the junctional epithelium.

In contrast, the marginal gingiva lacks the presence of stippling, and the tissue is mobile or free from the underlying tooth surface, as can be demonstrated with a periodontal probe.

The facial aspect of the attached gum extends to the relatively loose and movable alveolar mucosa, from which it is demarcated by the mucogingival junction.

In the absence of contact between adjacent teeth, the attached gum extends uninterrupted from the facial to the lingual aspect.

This can be the result of factors such as: thickness and degree of keratinization of the epithelium, blood flow to the gums, natural pigmentation of the skin, disease, and medications.

The gingival cavity microecosystem, fueled by food residues and saliva, can support the growth of many microorganisms, of which some can be injurious to health.

Recent studies have also shown that anabolic steroids are also closely associated with gingival enlargement requiring a gingivectomy for many cases.

[4] It may indicate an underlying inflammation such as periodontitis[5] or pyorrhea,[5] a pocket formation, dry mouth[5] or displacement of the marginal gums away from the tooth by mechanical (such as brushing),[5] chemical, or surgical means.

[6] Gingival retraction, in turn, may expose the dental neck and leave it vulnerable to the action of external stimuli, and may cause root sensitivity.