In all honesty, acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis is a rather rare problem but it is most common for young adults under the age of thirty-five. The condition most often occurs as a result of some larger medical problem. In other words, you are likely to develop this or any other form of gum disease or gingivitis when the immune system is already run down. This is because necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis is caused by a severe infection in your gingival tissue. If left untreated, the infection that caused the gum disease or gingivitis will spread and can increase chances for heart attack or even stroke.

 

When chronic gingivitis is present, there is already a severe infection raging in your gums and most likely a layer of tartar on your teeth. Tartar is actually what plaque hardens into when you fail to remove it with good oral hygiene. The infection which causes gingivitis and periodontitis (a more advanced and severe form of gum disease) is ultimately caused by anaerobic bacteria, which happen to breed very well on low-oxygen environments such as the ones that exist in between tartar and your teeth.

 

So how do you know of ulcerative gingivitis is already present? It really should not be too difficult to recognize the symptoms because they are pretty obvious and include:

• Lesions which may recess and form cavities, or “trenches” in gums
• Gums are very painful to the touch, including while eating normal foods
• Gray film on teeth that doesn’t go away after brushing
• Chronic and severe halitosis
• Fever may be present
• Gums will bleed easily, especially during brushing or flossing
• Severe inflammation of gingival tissue

 

If you have these symptoms, it is important that you see your dentist immediately because advanced gum disease and gingivitis treatment needs to be initiated before the condition worsens. At the very least, the bacteria will need to be killed with antibiotics or some sort of natural antiseptic product. Plus, all plaque and tartar will need to be removed in order to prevent the necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis from returning and causing even greater damage to your oral health.

 

In many cases, the body can naturally prevent gum disease and gingivitis through the normal production of saliva. The populations of anaerobic bacteria are naturally controlled by saliva because it is rich in oxygen which makes it more difficult for the microbes to multiply. In addition, saliva has specialized enzymes which help in the production of antibodies that destroy the bacteria. While not a true cure for gingivitis problems, saliva is very important in the prevention of oral health problems. Behaviors that tend to lower the production of saliva are:

• Drinking coffee, tea, or any caffeinated beverage
• Smoking
• Excessive exercise without proper hydration and cooling down period
• Drinking alcohol
• Using any stimulants, natural or artificial
• Using medication that causes dehydration

 

Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis and other oral health problems can generally be avoided by keeping your mouth well salivated, not smoking, and practicing good oral hygiene.