Trench Mouth & Peridontal Disease

Oral hygiene is imperative to preventing trench mouth.

Trench mouth is a rare but serious bacterial infection of the gums. Although easily preventable and curable, if left untreated, trench mouth can cause serious damage to the mouth and even jaw bones. Trench mouth primarily affects people under the age of 35, but it can occur at any stage in life.

Symptoms

Trench mouth usually displays painful, dramatic symptoms. Large ulcers on the gums or in between teeth, painfully swollen gums and excessive gum bleeding are all common signs of trench mouth. Bad breath, although not usually a symptom of anything serious, can also be symptomatic of trench mouth if other symptoms are present.

Causes

Trench mouth is classified as a form of periodontal disease, also known as gingivitis, meaning inflammation of the gums. The condition occurs when levels of bacteria in the mouth become too high and infect the gums.

Dangers

Trench mouth should be treated immediately. The infection rarely goes away on its own, and unless treated as soon as possible, the infection can spread throughout the mouth. Left untreated for long periods of time, the infection can reach the jaw bone, causing bone damage.

Treatment

If trench mouth is suspected, see a dentist as soon as possible. Until a dentist can be seen, it is imperative to keep the mouth clean via rigorous daily brushing and flossing. Salt water rinses and hydrogen peroxide rinses can help kill bacteria and wash out decayed tissue. Over-the-counter pain medication, such as ibuprofen or aspirin, can relieve some of the discomfort associated with trench mouth. A dentist may prescribe antibiotics or need to perform a full mouth cleaning to fully destroy the infection.

Prevention

In most cases, trench mouth is the result of poor oral hygiene. Daily brushing and flossing, as well as regular mouthwash treatment, can ensure that you do not get trench mouth. Other activities that irritate the mouth, such as smoking, can cause or help cause trench mouth as well, so these should be avoided.

References

• Trench Mouth