Guide To The Symptoms Of Gingivitis

Red Or Purple Gums

An individual with gingivitis may experience red or purple gums. A healthy individual's gums tightly cover every one of their teeth up to the tooth's neck and are attached firmly to their underlying jawbone. Healthy, intact gum tissues protect and cover the roots of the teeth. The gum tissues in the mouth are tissues known to be dense. The gums contain a highly concentrated supply of blood vessels that sit just underneath the mucous membrane or moist gum surface. The gums are usually a deep pink color and connect to the rest of the mouth. When the bacteria in the plaque on the teeth that causes gingivitis release toxic byproducts, the gum tissue can become damaged and invoke a response by the individual's immune system. The immune system responds to this cellular damage and activates a cascade of mechanisms to help mediate and repair the tissue. One of the mechanisms implemented is the dilation of blood vessels in the affected area. When the high concentration of blood vessels in an individual's gums become dilated, the gums will become red, purple, swollen, and inflamed.