Your mouth naturally has a balance of healthy bacteria, fungi, and viruses. But if you don’t take care of your teeth, harmful bacteria can grow. So, if you wonder, “What is trench mouth?” It is a fast-developing form of gingivitis.
What Does Trench Mouth Mean?
Trench mouth is a serious gum infection and a more advanced form of gingivitis, a common gum disease. It causes your gums to bleed, hurt, and swell and promotes the formation of ulcers between your teeth that can destroy gum tissue.
Trench mouth is related to conditions or activities that weaken your immune system. If not treated, it can damage your gums and spread to nearby areas like your cheeks, lips, or jawbones.
Other Names for Trench Mouth
Trench mouth is also known as Vincent stomatitis, acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG), and necrotizing ulcerative periodontitis. The term “trench mouth” became popular during World War I when soldiers in battlefield trenches developed severe gum infections due to poor diet, poor oral hygiene, and high stress.
Is Trench Mouth Contagious?
Trench mouth, or acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG), is not contagious. This serious gum infection causes painful, bleeding gums and ulcers. It develops from too much bacteria in the mouth, often because of poor oral hygiene, stress, and a weak immune system. However, it can’t be passed from one person to another.
Symptoms of Trench Mouth
People with trench mouth can suddenly experience severe gum pain in one or more areas. Other symptoms include:
- Ulcers or sores between their teeth.
- A yellow-white or gray film on the skin between their teeth.
- Gums that bleed easily.
- Very bad breath.
In severe cases of trench mouth, additional symptoms can include:
- Swollen lymph nodes.
- Fever.
- Feeling very tired.
How Is Trench Mouth Diagnosed?
The healthcare provider will check your mouth for signs of trench mouth, including:
- Crater-like ulcers filled with plaque and food
- Damage to the gum tissue around the teeth
- Swollen gums
- There might also be a gray film from broken-down gum tissue. In some cases, you could have a fever and swollen lymph nodes in your head and neck.
- Dental X-rays or face X-rays might be used to see how severe the infection is and how much tissue has been damaged.
- A throat swab culture might also be done to test for the disease.
Trench Mouth Treatment
The goals of treatment are to cure the infection and relieve symptoms. If you have a fever, your provider might prescribe antibiotics. Good oral hygiene is crucial for treating trench mouth. Brush and floss your teeth thoroughly at least twice a day or after each meal and before bed, if possible.
Rinsing with salt water (1/2 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of water) can help soothe sore gums. Hydrogen peroxide rinses are often used to clean away dead gum tissue. You can also have chlorhexidine rinses to reduce gum inflammation.
Over-the-counter pain relievers can help with discomfort. Soothing rinses or gels might ease pain, especially before eating. For severe pain, you might apply lidocaine to your gums.
Once your gums are less sore, you may need to visit a dentist or hygienist to have your teeth professionally cleaned and plaque removed. You might need to be numbed for the cleaning, and until the condition improves, you may require regular dental cleanings and check-ups.
Final Word
The term trench mouth is not something you will hear on a daily basis. Hearing it makes you wonder, “What is trench mouth?” It’s a severe gum infection happens due to poor diet, inadequate oral hygiene, and intense stress.
Visit our board-certified periodontists at Perio Health Professionals. Our skilled doctors have years of experience treating countless patients with gum disease. Call us at (346) 509-9060 to book an appointment.
