NHS Choices Condition
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A healthy set of gums should be pink and firm, and will keep your teeth securely anchored into place. Your gums should not bleed when your touch or brush them. If you develop gingivitis, it is your gums that will primarily be affected.
The main symptoms of gingivitis include:
- tender, painful gums,
- swelling and redness in the gums, and
- bleeding gums, after you brush your teeth.
If you go on to develop periodontitis, the pain, bleeding and swelling of your gums may intensify. You may also experience other symptoms, including:
- bad breath (halitosis),
- a foul taste in your mouth,
- difficulty eating,
- pus coming from the gums,
- teeth becoming loose,
- teeth falling out, and
- abscesses (collection of infected fluid) on your gums.
Acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG)
Acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG) is a rare condition, but the symptoms tend to be more severe than those associated with gingivitis and periodontitis. Symptoms of ANUG can include:
- fever,
- feeling generally unwell,
- intensely painful, bleeding gums,
- severe bad breath (halitosis),
- difficulty swallowing, or talking,
- excessive amount of saliva in your mouth,
- metallic taste in your mouth, and
- ulcers on your gums, in between your teeth.
Important Notice
The information provided on this website (including any NHS Choices medical information) is for use as information or for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. We do not warrant that any information included within this site will meet your health or medical requirements. This Embarrassing Bodies site does not provide any medical or diagnostic services so you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.
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