Friday, February, 10, 2012

Trench mouth

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Vincent's stomatitis; Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis


Symptoms
  • Bad breath
  • Crater-like ulcers between the teeth
  • Fever
  • Foul taste in the mouth
  • Gums appear reddened and swollen
  • Grayish film on the gums
  • Painful gums
  • Profuse gum bleeding in response to any pressure or irritation

Note: Symptoms often begin suddenly.


Signs and tests

The health care provider will look at your mouth for signs of trench mouth:

  • Crater-like ulcers filled with plaque and food debris
  • Destruction of gum tissue around the teeth
  • Inflamed gums

There may be a gray film caused by broken down (decomposed) gum tissue. Occasionally, there may be fever and swollen lymph nodes of the head and neck.

Dental x-rays or x-rays of the face may be done to determine how severe the infection is and how much tissue has been destroyed.

This disease may also be tested for by a throat swab culture.


Review Date: 02/22/2010
Reviewed By: Jack D Rosenberg, DDS, Advanced Dental Care, Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, M.D., MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)