Our oral cavity is normally populated by around 500 different bacterial strains, which our immune system can easily keep in check in small concentrations. If oral hygiene is neglected, sticky plaques form in which the bacteria can multiply in large numbers. Bacterial toxins then lead to inflammation of the gums (gingivitis), which is usually noticeable by an increased tendency of the gums to bleed when brushing the teeth.
Cyclosporin (Sandimmun, immunosuppressant, suppresses the normal immune system and must be taken for life, e.g. after kidney transplantation or other organ transplants.)
A special form of gingivitis is gingival hyperplasia, which is characterized by gum growths. Gingival hyperplasia is often triggered by the above drugs, but most of the time the problem is exacerbated by poor oral hygiene and sometimes a genetic predisposition.
