Trench mouth

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Dental anatomy

Trench mouth is a painful bacterial infection and ulceration of the gums (gingiva).

Vincent's stomatitis; Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis

Trench mouth is a painful form of gingivitis (gum inflammation). The term "trench mouth" comes from World War I, when the disorder was common among soldiers.

The mouth normally contains a balance of different microorganisms. Trench mouth occurs when there is an overabundance of normal mouth bacteria resulting in infection of the gums, which develop painful ulcers. Viruses may be involved in allowing the bacteria to overgrow.

Risks include the following:

• Poor oral hygiene
• Poor nutrition
• Throat, tooth or mouth infections
• Smoking
• Emotional stress

This disorder is rare. When it does occur, trench mouth most often affects adults younger than 35.

Review Date: 12/18/2006
Reviewed By: Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP, Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.