Trench mouth
Alternative names:
acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis; stomatitis; Vincent's stomatitis
Symptoms:
- painful gums
- profuse gum bleeding in response to any pressure or irritation
- gums appear reddened and swollen
- grayish film on the gums
- crater-like ulcers in-between the teeth on the gum papillae
- foul taste in the mouth
- bad breath
Note: Symptoms often begin suddenly.
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:
Signs and tests:
Examination of the mouth shows inflamed gums with destruction of gum tissue around the teeth. Crater-like ulcers fill with plaque and food debris. There may be a gray film caused by decomposed gum tissue. Occasionally, fever may be present or lymph nodes of the head and neck may be swollen.
Dental X-rays or facial X-rays may be performed to determine the extent of infection and tissue destruction. This disease may also alter the results of a throat swab culture.
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