Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis, also known as GUN or GUNA, is severe inflammation of the gum that causes very painful and bleeding sores and can eventually make chewing difficult.
This type of gingivitis is more common in poor areas where there is no adequate diet and hygiene conditions are very precarious, making the gums more susceptible to bacterial infections.
- Necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis can be cured with antibiotic treatment.
- But it can recur if factors such as poor hygiene and malnutrition are not eliminated.
The easiest symptoms to identify from this infection are swelling of the gums and the appearance of sores around the teeth; however, other symptoms such as:
Wounds can also spread to other places such as the inside of the cheeks, tongue or palate, for example, especially in people with AIDS or if treatment does not start quickly.
Therefore, if symptoms of ulcerative gingivitis occur, it is important to consult a dentist or family doctor to make the diagnosis and initiate appropriate treatment.
The diagnosis is usually made by the dentist or a family doctor only by observing the mouth and assessing the person’s history, however, there are cases in which the doctor may order a laboratory test to analyze the type of bacteria present in the mouth, in order to better adapt the treatment.
Treatment of acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis usually begins with gentle cleansing of wounds and gums in the dentist to remove excess bacteria and facilitate healing, then the dentist also prescribes an antibiotic, such as metronidazole or phenoxymethylpenicillin, which should be used for about a week to remove the remaining bacteria.
In some cases, it may still be necessary to use an antiseptic rinse 3 times a day to help control the amount of bacteria in your mouth, as well as maintain good oral hygiene.
People who have frequent cases of gingivitis but don’t have poor diet or oral care should undergo blood tests to determine if there is another condition that could cause the problem to recur.
Watch the following video and learn more about treating gingivitis: