Inflammation of the gums, causing pain and often minor bleeding when cleaning the teeth or eating hard food such as apples. Gingivitis is the most common oral disease in adult life (children are more likely to have symptoms from caries, or "cavities"). It is most often due to a combination of a soft, sugary diet and poor dental hygiene, but it may occur also as a complication of debilitating diseases and of vitamin deficiencies. Gingivitis is best treated by a dental surgeon, who may cut away damaged, overgrown portions of the gum (gingivectomy) in addition to giving advice on better hygiene and the use of a mouthwash.

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