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Diagnoses

Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis

Establishing this diagnosis

Establishing a diagnosis involves examination, review of medical and dental history, clinical data analysis, and tests that are specific to your condition. Only a dentist can evaluate your signs and symptoms to establish a diagnosis.

ANUG is characterized by ulceration, cyanosis (blueness) or erythema (redness), and blunting of the normally pointed interdental papillae (i.e. the normal scalloped contour of the gums around the teeth is lost as the gingiva swell). There is generally a whitish-gray membrane present on areas of the gingiva. Spontaneous bleeding, significant pain, general malaise (feeling poorly) and severe bad breath are all present. Blood cultures typically show an increased white blood cell count.