Editing Gums (section)

==Characteristics of healthy gums==

===Color===
{{multiple image
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| width        = 240
| image1       = Gummy Smile.jpg
| caption1     = Natural "coral pink" gums without any pigmentation
| image2       = 
| caption2     = "Coral pink" gums with noticeable pigmentation
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[[File:Hyperpigmentation of the gum.jpg|thumb|255x255px|Hyperpigmentation of the gum in a 22 year old non smoker female patient]]
Healthy gums usually have a color that has been described as "coral pink". Other colours like red, white, and blue can signify inflammation ([[gingivitis]]) or pathology. Smoking or drug use can cause discoloring as well (such as "[[meth mouth]]"). Although described as the colour coral pink, variation in colour is possible. 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.<ref>Mosby's Medical Dictionary, 8th edition. 2009, Elsevier.</ref>

Since the colour of the gums can vary, uniformity of colour is more important than the underlying color itself. Excess deposits of melanin can cause dark spots or patches on the gums (melanin gingival [[hyperpigmentation]]), especially at the base of the interdental papillae. [[Gum depigmentation]] (aka gum bleaching) is a procedure used in cosmetic dentistry to remove these discolorations.

===Contour===
Healthy gums have a smooth curved or scalloped appearance around each tooth.  Healthy gums fill and fit each space between the teeth, unlike the swollen gum papilla seen in gingivitis or the empty interdental [[embrasure (dental)|embrasure]] seen in periodontal disease.  Healthy gums hold tight to each tooth in that the gum surface narrows to "knife-edge" thin at the [[free gingival margin]].  On the other hand, inflamed gums have a "puffy" or "rolled" margin.

===Texture===
Healthy gums have a firm texture that is resistant to movement, and the surface texture often exhibits [[stippling (dentistry)|surface stippling]].  Unhealthy gums, on the other hand, are often swollen and less firm. Healthy gums have an orange-peel like texture to it due to the stippling.

===Reaction to disturbance===
Healthy gums usually have no reaction to normal disturbance such as brushing or [[periodontal probe|periodontal probing]].  Unhealthy gums, conversely, will show [[bleeding on probing]] (BOP) and/or [[pus|purulent exudate]].