Gingivitis

If plaque-induced gingivitis is not treated, there is possibly an increased risk of developing periodontitis in which permanent loss of some alveolar bone may occur. In immunocompromised patients living with HIV, necrotising gingivitis can lead to acute necrotising periodontitis, characterised by exposure of bone and loss of support for the teeth.

In the presence of severe malnutrition, necrotising gingivitis can lead to oral and facial cancrum oris (noma: hard and soft tissue destruction of oral and para-oral structures), which may lead to compromised appearance and difficulty in eating. Without appropriate treatment, noma may lead to death.[72]Feller L, Altini M, Chandran R, et al. Noma (cancrum oris) in the South African context. J Oral Pathol Med. 2014 Jan;43(1):1-6. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23647162?tool=bestpractice.com