Dental biofilm-induced gingivitis in children and adolescents. A literature review

Abstract

Dental biofilm-induced gingivitis is extremely common in children and adolescents and it affects the majority of children over 7 years old. It is characterised by inflammation, consisting in changes of colour, size, consistency and texture. Although most of the times gingivitis does not progress into periodontitis, it is important to diagnose and properly treat this disease, as gingivitis precedes periodontitis. The present paper aims to review the main findings of microbial etiology and epidemiology of dental biofilm-induced gingivitis mediated by local risk factors, as well as the role of oral hygiene in preventing bacterial colonization.