Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
Trench mouth, also known as acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis, is a severe form ofgum disease. It’s also sometimes referred to as Vincent disease or Vincent’s stomatitis. While it’s more common in people under 24, it’s a fairly rare condition overall.
The name for the disease, trench mouth, originated during World War I, when the condition was common among soldiers in the trenches.
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The main cause of trench mouth is the presence of excess bacteria. However, experts don’t quite know the exact mechanisms behind why this condition develops.
You’re more likely to develop trench mouth if you:
People With Weakened Immune SystemsPeople withweakened immune systemscannot fight off infections as easily as others and may be at higher risk for developing gum infections or diseases like trench mouth. Conditions that can weaken your immune system include:Diabetes(a condition in which the body does not regulate blood sugar adequately)HIV(a viral infection that impairs the immune system)Cancer or cancer treatmentAny condition that requires you to takeimmunosuppressants
People With Weakened Immune Systems
People withweakened immune systemscannot fight off infections as easily as others and may be at higher risk for developing gum infections or diseases like trench mouth. Conditions that can weaken your immune system include:Diabetes(a condition in which the body does not regulate blood sugar adequately)HIV(a viral infection that impairs the immune system)Cancer or cancer treatmentAny condition that requires you to takeimmunosuppressants
People withweakened immune systemscannot fight off infections as easily as others and may be at higher risk for developing gum infections or diseases like trench mouth. Conditions that can weaken your immune system include:
Possible symptoms of trench mouth may include:
People with trench mouth may also have a severe buildup of plaque.
What Happens If Trench Mouth Isn’t TreatedIf left untreated a trench mouth infection can lead to complications such as:Tooth lossPainSevere infection that spreadsDehydrationWeight lossIn some cases, untreated trench mouth can lead to oralgangrene, also known as noma or cancrum oris.This is often fatal.
What Happens If Trench Mouth Isn’t Treated
If left untreated a trench mouth infection can lead to complications such as:Tooth lossPainSevere infection that spreadsDehydrationWeight lossIn some cases, untreated trench mouth can lead to oralgangrene, also known as noma or cancrum oris.This is often fatal.
If left untreated a trench mouth infection can lead to complications such as:
In some cases, untreated trench mouth can lead to oralgangrene, also known as noma or cancrum oris.This is often fatal.
A dentist will typically be the one to diagnose trench mouth during a dental exam. The dentist may take X-rays to check whether the infection has damaged any underlying tissue. They can also use throat swabs to diagnose this kind of infection.
Keeping the disease from progressing is the main goal of treatment. Because trench mouth is a serious form of gum disease, improving nutrition and oral care may not be enough to stop the disease from getting worse.
A dentist may also recommend:
Treatment will also usually involve addressing the underlying issue contributing to trench mouth. Often, this involves improving dental hygiene. For some, treatment may involve improving nutrition.
For people with compromised immune systems or diabetes, multidisciplinary care is needed involving the dental and medical teams to boost the immune system.
Good Oral HygieneIf you have trench mouth your dentist may recommend taking steps toimprove your oral hygienewhich can help with symptoms and prevent a recurrence. This entails:Brushing teeth twice a dayFlossing thoroughly after mealsRinsing with salt water, which can help with pain and inflammationRinsing with hydrogen peroxide, which can help remove dead tissueRegular professional cleanings
Good Oral Hygiene
If you have trench mouth your dentist may recommend taking steps toimprove your oral hygienewhich can help with symptoms and prevent a recurrence. This entails:Brushing teeth twice a dayFlossing thoroughly after mealsRinsing with salt water, which can help with pain and inflammationRinsing with hydrogen peroxide, which can help remove dead tissueRegular professional cleanings
If you have trench mouth your dentist may recommend taking steps toimprove your oral hygienewhich can help with symptoms and prevent a recurrence. This entails:
Summary
Treatment usually involves a combination of strategies to help prevent the disease from getting worse. Your dentist may recommend medication, surgery, or other options to help treat trench mouth.
If you have this serious form of gum disease, you may feel embarrassed or uncomfortable. Don’t let these feelings stop you from seeking treatment. Without treatment, symptoms will get worse. A dentist can help treat the disease and alleviate symptoms that are causing you undue stress and anxiety.
The most commonly prescribed antibiotic for trench mouth is Flagyl (metronidazole). Other medications that a medical professional may prescribe include:PenicillinTetracyclinesAmoxicillinClindamycin
The most commonly prescribed antibiotic for trench mouth is Flagyl (metronidazole). Other medications that a medical professional may prescribe include:
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Winchester Hospital.Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis.Malek R, Gharibi A, Khlil N, Kissa J.Necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis.Contemp Clin Dent. 2017;8(3):496-500. doi:10.4103/ccd.ccd_1181_16Martos J, Ahn Pinto KV, Feijó Miguelis TM, et al.Clinical treatment of necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis: a case report with 10-year follow-up.Gen Dent. 2019;67(3):62-65. PMID: 31199747Mount Sinai.Trench mouth.Hu J, Kent P, Lennon JM, Logan LK.Acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis in an immunocompromised young adult.BMJ Case Rep. 2015;2015:bcr2015211092. doi:10.1136/bcr-2015-211092Srour ML, Marck K, Baratti-Mayer D.Noma: overview of a neglected disease and human rights violation.Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2017;96(2):268-274. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.16-0718
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Winchester Hospital.Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis.Malek R, Gharibi A, Khlil N, Kissa J.Necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis.Contemp Clin Dent. 2017;8(3):496-500. doi:10.4103/ccd.ccd_1181_16Martos J, Ahn Pinto KV, Feijó Miguelis TM, et al.Clinical treatment of necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis: a case report with 10-year follow-up.Gen Dent. 2019;67(3):62-65. PMID: 31199747Mount Sinai.Trench mouth.Hu J, Kent P, Lennon JM, Logan LK.Acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis in an immunocompromised young adult.BMJ Case Rep. 2015;2015:bcr2015211092. doi:10.1136/bcr-2015-211092Srour ML, Marck K, Baratti-Mayer D.Noma: overview of a neglected disease and human rights violation.Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2017;96(2):268-274. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.16-0718
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Winchester Hospital.Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis.Malek R, Gharibi A, Khlil N, Kissa J.Necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis.Contemp Clin Dent. 2017;8(3):496-500. doi:10.4103/ccd.ccd_1181_16Martos J, Ahn Pinto KV, Feijó Miguelis TM, et al.Clinical treatment of necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis: a case report with 10-year follow-up.Gen Dent. 2019;67(3):62-65. PMID: 31199747Mount Sinai.Trench mouth.Hu J, Kent P, Lennon JM, Logan LK.Acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis in an immunocompromised young adult.BMJ Case Rep. 2015;2015:bcr2015211092. doi:10.1136/bcr-2015-211092Srour ML, Marck K, Baratti-Mayer D.Noma: overview of a neglected disease and human rights violation.Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2017;96(2):268-274. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.16-0718
Winchester Hospital.Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis.
Malek R, Gharibi A, Khlil N, Kissa J.Necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis.Contemp Clin Dent. 2017;8(3):496-500. doi:10.4103/ccd.ccd_1181_16
Martos J, Ahn Pinto KV, Feijó Miguelis TM, et al.Clinical treatment of necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis: a case report with 10-year follow-up.Gen Dent. 2019;67(3):62-65. PMID: 31199747
Mount Sinai.Trench mouth.
Hu J, Kent P, Lennon JM, Logan LK.Acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis in an immunocompromised young adult.BMJ Case Rep. 2015;2015:bcr2015211092. doi:10.1136/bcr-2015-211092
Srour ML, Marck K, Baratti-Mayer D.Noma: overview of a neglected disease and human rights violation.Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2017;96(2):268-274. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.16-0718
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