How To Identify and Treat Acute Ulcerative Gingivitis

This disease is reported to be highly prevalent in parts of our African region where it affects children and in groups of persons with congenital disorders such as Down’s syndrome.Significantly, nutritional deficiencies arising from the prevalent poor socio-economic status of many of our populations may predispose to  the occurrence of most cases that present with acute ulcerative gingival conditions. Poor oral hygiene may be prevalent where economic empowerment is low.

Management

1. Oral hygiene with antibiotics and mouthwash with povidone iodine 1% 8 hourly.
2. Benzylpenicillin 1.2 IV 6 hourly +metronidazole 500mg IV 8 hourly+gentamicin 80mg IV 8 hourly.
3. Try to address the primary cause.
4. Definitive management-periodontal cleaning.