National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) Dental Hygienist Practice Test

Gingivitis is considered controlled when?

1. The gums reach the crown.

2. No deep pockets appear in the gums

3. The gums appear firm

4. There's no bleeding around the gums

The correct answer is: There's no bleeding around the gums

Gingivitis is considered controlled when there's no bleeding around the gums. This indicates that inflammation has decreased and the health of the periodontal tissue has improved. Healthy gums should not bleed during brushing, flossing, or professional examinations, which is a key criterion for assessing the control of gingivitis. When there is no bleeding, it reflects that the inflammatory process has been significantly reduced, signaling the effectiveness of oral hygiene practices or treatment interventions. Other factors, such as firm gums, no deep pockets, or gum position relative to the crown, may contribute to overall periodontal health, but the absence of bleeding is a direct indicator of the control of gingival inflammation specifically associated with gingivitis. Thus, controlling gingivitis primarily focuses on the reduction of inflammation, as evidenced by the gum's response to physical stimulation.