Trench mouth

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Dental anatomy

Vincent's stomatitis; Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis

• 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 between the teeth
• Foul taste in the mouth
• Bad breath

Note: Symptoms often begin suddenly.

The health care provider will look at your mouth for signs of trench mouth:

• Inflamed gums
• Destruction of gum tissue around the teeth
• Crater-like ulcers filled with plaque and food debris

There may be a gray film caused by decomposed gum tissue. Occasionally, there may be fever and swollen lymph nodes of the head and neck.

Dental x-rays or facial x-rays may be done to determine the severity of infection and tissue destruction.

This disease may also alter the results of a throat swab culture.

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.