Gingiva of upper jaw

Looks like

The gum around the upper teeth: firm pink tissue covering the tooth-bearing bone.

What it does

Seals around each tooth and protects the underlying bone.

Keeping it well

Bleeding on brushing is early gum disease and reverses with good cleaning; receding gums and loose teeth need a dentist.

Related conditions

• Bad breath (halitosis)
• Burning mouth syndrome
• Hand, foot and mouth disease
• Lichen planus
• Mouth ulcers (aphthous stomatitis)
• Pemphigus vulgaris
• Stevens–Johnson syndrome / toxic epidermal necrolysis