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The Clue

What gingivitis affects (4 letter answer)

The Answer

GUMS

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Notes

The answer GUMS is rarely seen, appearing only about once every 1200 puzzles.

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Definition

GUM as a noun:

1. (chewing gum, gum) = a preparation (usually made of sweetened chicle) for chewing
2. (gingiva, gum) = the tissue (covered by mucous membrane) of the jaws that surrounds the bases of the teeth
3. any of various substances (soluble in water) that exude from certain plants; they are gelatinous when moist but harden on drying
4. (glue, gum, mucilage) = cement consisting of a sticky substance that is used as an adhesive
5. (gumwood, gum) = wood or lumber from any of various gum trees especially the sweet gum
6. (gum tree, gum) = any of various trees of the genera Eucalyptus or Liquidambar or Nyssa that are sources of gum

GUM as a verb:

1. cover, fill, fix or smear with or as if with gum; "if you gum the tape it is stronger"
2. (mumble, gum) = grind with the gums; chew without teeth and with great difficulty; "the old man had no teeth left and mumbled his food"
3. become sticky
4. exude or form gum; "these trees gum in the Spring"