Like much of the English language, a decent chunk of dental terminology as we know it originates from Greek or Latin. Words like “endodontics” & “orthodontics” share the Greek word “odont,” meaning “tooth.” The other half of those words, “endo” & “ortho,” are Greek for “inside” & “straight” respectively. Other examples include the word “cavity,” which originates from the Latin “cavus”, meaning “hollow” or “hole”, & the word “dental” itself comes from the Latin word “dens” meaning “tooth.”
Gingiva: the Gums’ Origin Story
One of the most widely used Latin root words in dentistry is “gingiva,” which surprisingly has nothing to do with ginger. Instead, the word is Latin for “gums.”
In modern dentistry, gingiva refers to one’s gum tissue. Gum tissue creates a protective barrier around teeth & the healthier one’s gums (or gingiva) are, the better one’s overall dental well-being tends to be. Looking at gums is also a good indicator of oral issues.
The Root of Gum Issues
Starting with the most common, gingivitis describes the starting stage of gum disease. Paired with “gingiva,” the “itis” part of the word indicates inflammation. Gingivitis occurs when plaque builds up around the teeth & causes the surrounding gum tissue to become swollen. This can lead to irritation, redness & bleeding from your gums. If left untreated, it can worsen to periodontitis & eventually tooth loss. To prevent gingivitis, make sure you maintain good oral health habits by flossing & brushing your teeth on a daily basis & getting regular cleanings at your local dentist.
The next level up in painful gum cases is gingivostomatitis. It is a combination of both gingivitis & stomatitis, which is inflammation (“itis”) of the “stoma” or, as we know it, the mouth. On top of all the symptoms of gingivitis, gingivostomatitis adds on blisters, ulcers & swelling to the oral mucosa (derived from the Latin “mucosus” for “slimy”). The oral mucosa refers to the soft tissue lining the inside of the mouth, including the lips, cheeks & tongue. Similar to gingivitis, gingivostomatitis can be avoided through practicing good oral hygiene, getting regular dental cleanings & routinely washing appliances like retainers & dentures. Unlike gingivitis though, gingivostomatitis is also contagious & can be passed on through kissing & sharing utensils.
Keeping the Gums in Line
There are also several gum-related surgeries that have names derived from the Latin root. Gingivectomy refers to the “ectomy” (Latin for “removal”) of gum tissue. This surgical procedure is often used to either treat gum disease or be a cosmetic treatment to improve one’s smile aesthetics. Using either a scalpel or handheld laser, the surgeon would remove gum tissue that has either been infected or simply considered visually excessive in making one’s teeth look short & stubby.
Another procedure, gingivoplasty, refers to the “plasty” (Latin for “reshaping”) of the gums. Like with a gingivectomy, gingivoplasty is also a gum removal procedure, but while the former can be used to treat gum disease, the latter is mainly for cosmetic purposes. Gingivoplasty is frequently performed in conjunction with gingivectomy because the gum removal process may leave some areas of the gumline looking uneven or unnatural. Gingivoplasty aims to reshape the gumline to be as attractive & even as possible.
At the end of the day, the gumline is the gateway to the rest of your mouth’s oral health, so be sure to keep them in good shape! If you have any questions about your own gums, do not hesitate to reach out to your dentist. Do not wait for one of the -itises or surgeries to come knocking on your door— keep your teeth regularly brushed, flossed & cleaned by your dentist!
Sources:
https://thedentalist.co.uk/blog/unveiling-the-origins-of-dental-glossary/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gingivitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354453
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21771-gingivostomatitis
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24749-gingivectomy
https://periosynergy.com/3-reasons-why-gingivoplasty-may-be-performed/