Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a common and mild form of gum disease that causes irritation, redness, and swelling of the gingiva, the part of your gum around the base of your teeth. It is often characterized by inflammation of the gums without loss of the underlying bone that supports the teeth. Gingivitis is primarily caused by poor oral hygiene that encourages plaque—a sticky film of bacteria—to form on teeth, leading to inflammation of the surrounding gum tissue.