Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis, also known as GUN or GUNA, is a severe inflammation of the gums that causes very painful, bleeding wounds that may end up making chewing difficult.
This type of gingivitis is most common in poor places where there is no adequate food and where hygiene conditions are very perchy, which makes the gum more susceptible to bacterial infections.
Necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis is cured by treatment with antibiotics, but may recur if factors such as poor hygiene and malnutrition are not eliminated.
Main symptoms
The easiest symptoms to identify from this infection are the swelling of the gums and the appearance of wounds around the teeth. However, other symptoms such as:
- Redness in the gums;
- Severe pain in the gums and teeth;
- Bleeding gums;
- Sensation of bitter taste in the mouth;
- Persistent bad breath.
Wounds may also spread to other sites such as the inside of the cheeks, tongue or roof of the mouth, for example, especially in people with AIDS or if treatment is not started quickly.
Thus, if symptoms of ulcerative gingivitis occur, it is important to consult a dentist or general practitioner to make the diagnosis and initiate appropriate treatment.
How is the diagnosis made?
The diagnosis is usually made by the dentist or a general practitioner only through observation of the mouth and evaluation of the person's history. However, there are cases in which the doctor may request a laboratory examination to analyze the type of bacteria present in the mouth, in order to better suit the treatment.
How to treat gingivitis
Treatment for acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis usually begins with a gentle cleaning of wounds and gums at the dentist to eliminate excess bacteria and facilitate healing. Then the dentist also recieves an antibiotic such as Metronidazole or Phenoxymethylpenicillin which should be used for about a week to eliminate the remaining bacteria.
In some cases, it may still be necessary to use an antiseptic rinse 3 times a day to help control the number of bacteria in the mouth and maintain proper oral hygiene.
People who have frequent cases of gingivitis but do not have poor feeding or oral hygiene care should do blood tests to identify if there is another disease that may be causing the recurrent onset of the problem.
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