Admission Test for Dental Hygiene (ATDH) Practice 2025 – All-in-One Study Guide to Excel in Your Exam!

Healthy gingiva is characterized by specific physical signs that indicate good periodontal health. When assessing the condition of the gums, the indicators of health include a pink color, firm texture, and a stippled surface, resembling the texture of an orange peel. These characteristics are essential as they reflect the absence of inflammation and disease in the periodontal tissues.

The pink color suggests sufficient blood circulation and absence of inflammation, while the firmness indicates that the tissues are healthy and well-attached to the tooth surfaces. The stippling is a normal feature of healthy gums, giving them a slightly textured appearance due to the connective tissue fibers beneath the epithelium.

Moreover, healthy gingiva should not bleed upon probing, which is a common sign of inflammation or periodontal disease. Therefore, the combination of these features makes option B the definitive description of healthy gingiva, highlighting the importance of maintaining oral hygiene to prevent conditions such as gingivitis or periodontal disease.