Many young people will be going to college or university for the first time this year and for the majority it will be their first time away from home.
The metamorphosis from being looked after by parents to being independent can affect many aspects of a young person's life and the mouth is not immune to these changes.
The new-found freedom can come hand in hand with lack of sleep, eating poorer quality foods and increased stress which can lead to a general dip in overall wellness.
This coupled with perhaps taking up a smoking habit and not cleaning the teeth as much can cause the gums to flare up with a painful condition called acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG).
This is also known as 'trench mouth' after its widespread occurrence among soldiers in the trenches during the First World War and is as unpleasant as it sounds.
ANUG is associated with stress and acute anxiety, which, for students, can take place around exam times, but it can occur in anyone going through a period of stress, if the underlying conditions are right.
It’s a very painful gum condition where the pink gum triangles, the papillae, between the teeth become infected.
When ANUG strikes it causes the gums to have a characteristic appearance. The tip of the gum papillae turn blackish yellow and they are surrounded by vibrant red looking gum that bleeds easily.
The black part is the tip of the papilla actually dying and starting to slough off. Unfortunately this can leave a black space between the teeth. The unattractive appearance is coupled with foul bad breath and a horrible taste.
The main thing is to try not to be alarmed – this is very treatable, especially when caught early. The treatment for this uncomfortable condition is for the person to try and get some rest, reduce stress, eat healthier and stay off the cigarettes.
The gums can also be numbed up and a thorough deep clean carried out at a dental practice, which will allow the gums to heal. Sometimes antibiotics and mouthwashes to kill the specific bacteria associated with ANUG are prescribed.
Long-term effective daily cleaning of the teeth and gums is encouraged to promote gum health. Brushing alone is not enough – the area in between the teeth needs to be cleaned for stable gum health.
