Gingivitis commonly occurs at puberty and during menstruation and pregnancy, presumably because of hormonal changes. Oral contraceptives may exacerbate inflammatory changes. Symptoms and Signs Simple gingivitis produces a band of red, inflamed gingiva along the necks of one or more teeth, with edematous swelling of the interdental papillae and bleeding after minimal injury. Pain is usually absent. Gingivitis may remain a superficial inflammation for many years, even for the life of the patient, or it may progress to periodontitis.
Pregnancy tumors are soft reddish masses that develop rapidly and then remain static.
There is often an underlying irritant, such as calculus or a rough margin of a restoration. Desquamative gingivitis is characterized by deep red, painful gingival tissue that bleeds easily. Vesicles may precede desquamation. The gingivae are soft because the keratinized cells that resist abrasion by food particles are absent. Persons with poorly controlled diabetes may develop periodontitis with rapid, progressive bone loss.