Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun Inflammation of the gums, characterized by redness and swelling.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun In pathology, inflammation of the gums.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun pathology Inflammation of the gums or gingivae.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun inflammation of the gums

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

gingiva +‎ -itis

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Examples

  • [T] he authors of the only study that found differences in gingivitis scores (at 6, 12 and 22 months) deemed those differences clinically irrelevant ….

    Is Tooth Cleaning a Scam? - Freakonomics Blog - NYTimes.com 2008

  • [T] he authors of the only study that found differences in gingivitis scores (at 6, 12 and 22 months) deemed those differences clinically irrelevant ….

    Is Tooth Cleaning a Scam? - Freakonomics Blog - NYTimes.com 2008

  • Women with periodontal disease during pregnancy may be more likely to have babies who are born too early or too small, although the evidence for this claim is mixed.7 Some pregnant women get a condition known as gingivitis that involves swollen gums; it increases the risk of periodontitis.

    Our Bodies, Ourselves: Pregnancy and Birth THE BOSTON WOMEN’S HEALTH BOOK COLLECTIVE 2008

  • Women with periodontal disease during pregnancy may be more likely to have babies who are born too early or too small, although the evidence for this claim is mixed.7 Some pregnant women get a condition known as gingivitis that involves swollen gums; it increases the risk of periodontitis.

    Our Bodies, Ourselves: Pregnancy and Birth THE BOSTON WOMEN’S HEALTH BOOK COLLECTIVE 2008

  • Most problems with "gums" have to do with poor brushing causing gingivitis, which is a red, irritated, even bloody kind of appearance.

    My Child's Tooth is Turning Dark! Dr. Dean Brandon 2006

  • DESCRIPTION: The most common gum affliction is gingivitis, which is inflammation of the gums resulting from bacterial infection under the gum line.

    THE NATURAL REMEDY BIBLE JOHN LUST 2003

  • What about treating gum inflammation, commonly known as gingivitis?

    SurvivalBlog.com 2010

  • For example, if you can choose between any bland-looking toothpaste tube versus one that may be thirty cents more expensive, but that comes in an attractive package, that fights tartar, plaque and gingivitis, that is doctor-recommended and that promises to whiten your teeth and give you a fresher breath when you wake up in the morning, which one would you pick?

    Positive Psychology News Daily 2009

  • Many studies have tied periodontal diseases, such as gingivitis, to preterm birth.

    msnbc.com: Top msnbc.com headlines 2010

  • Many studies have tied periodontaldiseases, such as gingivitis, to preterm birth.

    Livescience.com 2010

Comments

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  • It really is a shame that "gingivitis" means a painful inflammation of the gums. It is such a nice word. It should refer to some kind of fizzy, gingery concoction that peps you up during the cold winter months.

    December 7, 2006