Chicago โ€“ Researchers found that prolonged use of anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) is closely associated with significant levels of gingival enlargement, according to a new study published in the ... In what is believed to be the first reported case of its kind, an immunosuppressive drug prescribed for lupus-induced kidney disease caused gingival enlargement in a 27-year-old woman. The case report ...

Understanding the Context

Macroglossia may appear as a diffuse or nodular enlargement of the tongue, which may demonstrate lateral ridging due to indentation by the teeth. The tongue may have yellowish peripheral nodules as ... Gingivitis โ€“ Gingivitis involves only the gums (picture 1); it is an inflammatory process characterized by gingival redness, swelling, and bleeding that is provoked by routine brushing or flossing or by the use of a periodontal probe. Inflammation, or gingivitis, the most common gingival problem, may evolve into periodontitis.

Key Insights

Almost all gingivitis is plaque induced. Mineralized plaque is a concretion of bacteria, food residue, saliva, and mucus with calcium and phosphate salts. Fortunately, there are simple ways to reverse and prevent gingivitis. What is gingivitis? Gingivitis is a type of gum disease in which the tissue at the base of your teeth, called gingival tissue, becomes inflamed, or swollen.

Final Thoughts

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. The American Academy of Periodontology classifies gingival disease as a major group of periodontal diseases and distinguishes two main subgroups, those gingival diseases induced by dental plaque and those attributed to other causes.