What causes gingivitis or stomatitis?
Gingivitis is most commonly caused by bacterial infection in the mouth and is associated with poor oral hygiene. On the surface of the teeth, these bacteria create plaque, which becomes tartar and eventually becomes calculus, the hard, mineralized deposit that covers the teeth. When bacteria enter into the small pocket between the gums and teeth known as the gingival sulcus, they cause an inflammatory reaction. Left untreated, bacterial infection of the gingival sulcus can progress to periodontitis and tooth loss. Stomatitis may be caused by a local infectious or inflammatory process or may be a secondary condition.
