Are you suffering from a Trench Mouth?
What is trench mouth?
The term “Trench mouth” was coined during World War I when soldiers in battlefield Trenches suffered from poor oral hygiene, intense psychological stress, and poor diet, leading them to develop severe infections of the gums. Trench mouth is an instantly advancing infection of the gums characterized by bleeding, swelling, pain, ulcers between the teeth, and killing the gums. The possibility of death to the gums makes trench mouth a more advanced and severe form of gingivitis, a common type of gum disease.
What are the symptoms of trench mouth?
Although trench mouth symptoms are similar to those of gingivitis, they tend to progress more rapidly.
Ulcers of the papillae which is the small projections of skin between the teeth
Plaque buildup
Pain in one’s gum tissue
Easily bleeding gums
Halitosis
Swollen lymph glands
Fever
Fatigue
What are the causes of Trench mouth?
The overabundance of harmful bacteria in one’s mouth causes Trench mouth. Having gingivitis puts one at a higher risk of developing this advanced infection.
Poor nutrition
Smoking
Stress
poor dental hygiene
Weak immunity
Oral Infection
HIV and AIDS
The infection worsens and damages gum tissue if it’s left untreated.
Treatment for Trench mouth
The typical treatment of Trench mouth includes:
Prescribed Antibiotics
Pain relievers
Professional cleaning
A good oral hygiene routine
Warm salt water rinses and rinsing with hydrogen peroxide can ease inflamed gums’ pain and help remove dead tissue. Avoid smoking, consuming alcohol, hot/spicy food, or anything that can potentially aggravate the wounds.
Final note
Trench mouth is a serious dental health complication. The best way to prevent dental problems like trench mouth is to make sure you take care of your teeth and gums with regular flossing and brushing. Always visit your dentist regularly so they can detect any potential problems before those issues escalate into severe infections.
