Can someone explain what inflamed gums means?

[Question?]

Hi , I visited the dentist a couple weeks ago to get tar tar removed from my bottom front teeth and she said my gums were severely inflamed. I was too scared to ask what that actually meant , is it serious ?

 

[MattKW]

It means that the bacteria associated with the tartar, plus the physical roughness of the tartar, has caused your gums to mount an immune response. It's just like if you get a splinter in your skin - the body rushes blood cells to the area, so it goes red and swollen. If you clean your teeth, then the inflammation will go away.