Gingivitis is a form of periodontal disease. It is inflammation and infection that destroys the tissues that support the teeth, including the gums, the periodontal ligaments and the tooth socket.
Gingivitis is due to long-term effects of plaque deposits on your teeth. Plaque is a sticky material of bacteria, mucus, and food debris that develops on the exposed parts of the teeth. It is a major cause of tooth decay.
If you do not remove the plaque, it turns into a hard deposit called tartar (or calculus) that becomes trapped at the base of the tooth. Plaque and tartar irritate and inflame the gums. Bacteria and the toxins they produce cause the gums to become infected, swollen and tender