Anatomy
Gums (gingiva)
The gums, or gingiva, are the soft pink tissue that covers the jawbone and surrounds the necks of your teeth. They protect the roots and the bone below.
Gums are the soft tissue that circles each tooth and covers the bone underneath. Dentists call them gingiva. They cover and protect the roots of your teeth, and they also cover teeth that have not yet come in.
Gums can become red, swollen or tender when plaque builds up. This early stage is called gingivitis. If it goes untreated, it can move deeper and become periodontitis. Gums can also pull back from the tooth, which is called gum recession.
Bleeding when you brush or floss is a sign to mention to your dentist. Our office describes gum care on its periodontal care page.