Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis (ANUG)
Acute Necrotising Ulcerative Gingivitis is the painful condition of the mouth in which there occurs ulceration, swelling and sloughing off of gum tissues. ANUG is the condition where the infection has only involved the gingival and when it reaches up to the periodontal tissues then the condition is known as Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Periodontitis. Acute Necrotising Ulcerative Gingivitis is also known by many other names like Trench Mouth, Vincent’s angina etc.
Aetiology
ANUG occurs due to collection of variety of bacteria forming colonies in the mouth and there are some conditions and risk factors that favour the occurrence of same. These are:
• Smoking.
• Alcohol use.
• Stress.
• HIV.
• Use of Immunosuppressant.
• Poor oral hygiene.
• Viral Infection.
• Lack of nutritious diet.
Signs and Symptoms of ANUG
• Pain and swelling in gums.
• Gums having ulceration and punched out margins.
• Loss of gum tissue interdentally.
• Greyish residue on gums.
• Bleeding from gums eve on slight pressure.
• Bad smell from mouth.
• Fever with swelling of lymph nodes.
Treatment
Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis can be cured o the basis of its aetiology as if it is due to some systemic condition then by treating the condition it can be cured. Mouth rinses with debridement of dead tissues is very necessary. Antibiotics and pain killers should be given for the condition.
Prognosis
If it is not treated it can spread to nearby tissues of cheeks, throat etc and can cause the condition known as Noma but if it is treated at the beginning then the results are good.
