What condition results in inflammation and redness around the gingiva?

Gingivitis is characterized by inflammation and redness surrounding the gingiva. This condition primarily involves the soft tissues around the teeth and is often a result of plaque accumulation due to inadequate oral hygiene. The inflammation occurs as the body’s immune response to the bacteria present in plaque, leading to symptoms such as swollen gums, redness, and sometimes bleeding when brushing or flossing.

In contrast, periodontitis is a more advanced stage of gum disease that not only affects the gums but can also lead to the loss of bone supporting the teeth. While it also involves inflammation and redness, it includes additional symptoms and irreversible damage. Dental caries refers to tooth decay and does not primarily cause inflammation of the gums, while oral candidiasis (or thrush) is a fungal infection that affects the oral mucosa and does not typically present with the same localized gingival inflammation as seen in gingivitis. Therefore, the presence of inflammation and redness specifically around the gingiva points directly to gingivitis as the correct answer.