(gŭm )

[Old English gōma, palate]
The mucosal tissue covering the alveolar processes of the mandible and maxilla.
SEE: gingiva

DIAGNOSIS
Bleeding: If the gums bleed easily, gingivitis, scurvy, acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (trench mouth), or anticoagulation may be present. Silver poisoning causes the gums to turn blue; mercurial stomatitis or lead poisoning turns the gums bluish red, with a bluish line at the edge of the teeth. A greenish line at the edge of the teeth may indicate copper poisoning. A purplish line or color indicates scurvy. In youth, gingivitis, pyorrhea, or scurvy may cause a red line. Spongy gums and ulceration may indicate gingivitis, scurvy, stomatitis, leukemia, tuberculosis, or diabetes.