subject: Trench Mouth: The Symptoms [print this page] Trench mouth is a acute condition of gingivitis. Gingivitis is an infection and inflammation of the gums due to plaque build-up and bacteria. However, if the gingivitis is left untreated, the bacteria grow out of control thus resulting in trench mouth. It is important to deal this condition much early to prevent further infection.
Trench mouth was first diagnosed during World War I. During World War I, soldiers who were stuck fighting in the trenches were unable to maintain adequate oral hygiene thus resulting in gingivitis. The bacteria inside their mouth develop out of control and developed into trench mouth, as their gingivitis worsened.
Trench mouth destroys and damages the delicate gum tissue that supports the teeth. If the infection causing trench mouth is not cured the infection worsens, spreads, and causes large ulcers in the mouth. These ulcers are filled with bacteria, food particles, and decaying gum tissue. These ulcers also causes intense pain in the mouth, mouth ulcers and bad breath.
In the United States, there are not many cases of trench mouth. Trench mouth is rampant in third world countries or new developing countries which have poor living conditions and poor nutrition. For those people suffering from trench foot in the U.S. is generally the result of poor oral hygiene, smoking, stress, nutritional deficiencies and reduce the immune system.
For those who think they are suffering from trench mouth, is fairly easy to diagnose. Some of the most known signs and symptoms of trench mouth include:
* Severe gum pain * Ulcers between the teeth and on the gums * Bad breath * Foul taste in the mouth * Bleeding gums * Red and/or swollen gums * Pain when eating and/or swallowing * Gray film on the gums * Fever * Swollen lymph nodes around the head, neck, and/or jaw
