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The prevalence and distribution of gingivitis and gingival recession were studied in 820 Nigerians aged 15, 19, 20 and 21 years sampled from Lagos educational establishments. The prevalence of gingivitis was relatively high at all ages. There was a high degree of correlation between the prevalence of gingivitis affecting mouths, papillae and margins. It therefore would appear that in those mouths with gingivitis, the proportion of affected papillae or margins to those not affected varies only within narrow limits. Although the peak prevalance of gingivitis was observed in the 15-year olds, the prevalence of gingival recession was higher in the 21-year-old students than in those aged 15 years. Gingival recession may be a sequel of gingivitis resulting from apical proliferation of the epithelial attachment with destruction of the subjacent periodontal tissues. Hence gingivitis should be distinguished from gingival recession in its prevalence and distribution.

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