Trench mouth — a severe gum infection
— earned its name because of its prevalence among soldiers on the front lines during
World War I. Although it's less common today, trench mouth still affects thousands of
young adults between the ages of 15 and 35. The disease is also known by other names,
including Vincent's stomatitis and acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis.Trench mouth
begins as a bacterial infection that causes inflamed, bleeding gums, but eventually, large
ulcers may form on your gums and between your teeth. These are often extremely painful and
can cause bad breath and a foul taste in your mouth.
Although the exact cause isn't well understood, trench mouth seems to develop when
factors such as poor oral hygiene, tobacco use and stress disrupt the balance between
"good" and "bad" bacteria in your mouth. People whose immune systems
are severely compromised by conditions such as HIV/AIDS are particularly at risk.
When it's not treated, the infection can spread to the inside of your cheeks, your lips
or your jawbone, where it can damage or destroy vital tissues. Fortunately, regular
brushing and flossing, professional tooth cleaning, and antibiotic therapy can usually
clear up the infection. And continuing to practice good oral hygiene can help prevent
future problems.
