Change of gums from a thin, well-adapted, continuous covering around the teeth to a thick proliferating red mass, may not only appear unsightly, but also acts as a platform for further destruction of healthy teeth and the supporting bone.

Most common cause of swollen gums is infection of the “gingiva”, caused by plaque, which is a thin covering of food and bacteria on the tooth surface . The bacterial content of this plaque triggers a response from the gingiva, which results in swelling. The swelling is caused by accumulation of white blood cells and fluids, which in turn counteracts the action of the bacteria.

Due to certain normal conditions such as pregnancy and puberty, the gingiva may swell. This swelling is an abnormal response to the normal bacteria present in the mouth. This may be due to hormonal changes or variation seen during the above-mentioned conditions.

Certain diseases or deficiency conditions may also result in swollen gingiva. They are:

Vitamin C deficiency

Leukemia - cancer of blood cells

Tumors or abnormal growth on the gingiva, which may be harmless or can be cancerous.

Certain drugs used by the patient may result in increased size of the gingiva as a side effect

E.g. Phenytoin used in Epileptic Fits, Nifedepine used for blood pressure.