HOSA Dental Terminology Practice 2025 – All-in-One Study Guide for Exam Success!

The term that accurately describes the condition where dental tissues become inflamed is periodontal disease. This term encompasses various inflammatory conditions affecting the supporting structures of the teeth, including the gums, periodontal ligament, and bone. When these tissues become inflamed, it often results from infectious processes, primarily due to plaque buildup and can lead to serious outcomes if left untreated, such as tooth loss.

While caries refers to tooth decay caused by bacteria that lead to the demineralization of the tooth structure, and cellulitis is a broader term for skin or soft tissue infections, neither pertains specifically to inflammation of the dental tissues in the same way as periodontal disease. Hypoplasia describes a developmental condition involving the underdevelopment or incomplete development of tooth enamel, which is not directly related to inflammation. Thus, periodontal disease is the most appropriate terminology for indicating inflammation in dental tissues.