DEFENSE MECHANISM OF GINGIVA

*Dr. Vivek Bhalla, Dr. Gurpreet Kaur, Dr. Deepak Grover and Dr. Sumeet Kaushal

ABSTRACT

Gingiva is a part of oral mucous membrane that covers the alveolar processes of jaws and surrounds the neck of the teeth in a collar like fashion. Gingiva is exposed to variety of thermal and chemical stimuli but its specific structure of gingiva reflects its effectivenss as a barrier to the penetration by microbes and noxious agents into deeper tissues. This paper will discuss the defense mechanism that enables the gingiva to protect the underlying structures.

Keywords: gingiva, saliva, gingival crevicular fluid, epithelium, innate immunity, adaptive immunity.