Earliest stage of periodontal disease?

• A. Gingival recession
• B. Gingivitis
• C. Gingival hyperplasia
• D. Mucositis

Answer: (B)

Gingivitis is the earliest stage of periodontal disease because it represents the initial inflammatory response to dental plaque at the gums, before any loss of the tooth's supporting structures. At this stage the gums may be red, swollen, and bleed easily, but there is no attachment loss or bone destruction yet, so the condition is reversible with good oral hygiene and professional cleaning. If not managed, this inflammation can progress to periodontitis, where the supporting tissues are damaged.

Other options don’t fit as the starting point: gingival recession reflects gum margin shrinkage that occurs after tissue destruction; gingival hyperplasia is an overgrowth of gum tissue and not the first inflammatory stage; mucositis involves inflammation of the mucous membranes, not the periodontal tissues surrounding the teeth.