Final answer:
Nerve-end receptors in the gingiva detect pain, temperature variations, light touch, shapes, and textures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nerve-end receptors in the gingiva detect various stimuli in the oral cavity. Free nerve endings in the gingiva sense pain and temperature variations, allowing us to perceive sensations of hot, cold, and pain. Additionally, Merkel cells in the gingiva sense light touch, shapes, and textures, enabling us to feel the texture of food or objects in the mouth.