Trench mouth is a painful gum infection that can interrupt your daily life. Swelling, redness, bleeding, mouth sores and pain are the main symptoms with trench mouth. Trench mouth gets its name from early World War I soldiers who often developed the condition. Trench mouth is less common today, but it does still occur.
Trench mouth is caused by one main factor—bacteria. Bacteria live inside and outside our bodies and are essential to normal body functions. However the bacteria inside our mouths can easily overgrow. The environment inside the mouth is ideal for bacteria to produce. Moisture, darkness and an abundance of food sources makes it the perfect place to grow. We work to remove bacteria with good oral care habits (brushing and flossing) but if bacteria are not removed properly infection can develop.
Bacteria along the gums and teeth produce sulfur compounds as they feed and grow. These compounds irritate the gums and cause swelling and redness. If bacteria are still not removed infection will work deeper into the mouth—below the gum line and possibly even to the supporting ligaments and bone of the face and jaw. Tooth loss is common with any advanced untreated gum infection.
Trench mouth responds well to treatment which usually includes removal of the bad bacteria, over the counter pain medication, and salt water and/or hydrogen peroxide rinses. Antibiotics may also be given to treat trench mouth. Though antibiotics may help, the source of the infection must be removed in order to heal fully. Food particles and other debris may lodge in the sores around the teeth and bacteria will still be present even if you are taking antibiotics. This is why brushing and flossing—even if it is painful, is still the best way to remove and keep bacteria under control.
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