What is Trench Mouth (ANUG)
Trench mouth
disease is a severe and painful bacterial infection of the gums,
which causes deep ulcerations of the gingival tissues.
The condition is usually triggered by poor oral hygiene and poor nutrition.
If left untreated, the infection can lead to the necrosis of gum tissues and spread to other areas of the body.
Trench mouth is the common name for Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis, also known by the acronym ANUG.
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Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis is a much more severe condition than normal gingivitis, which can cause open sores and finally the death of gum tissue.
The term “trench mouth” comes from World War I, when many soldiers suffered from the condition as they were stuck in the trenches
without the means to take care of their mouth and teeth properly.
Trench mouth disease is also called Vincent's Stomatitis or Vincent's angina after the French bacteriologist Jean Hyacinthe Vincent (1862-1950).
Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis / ANUG is a no contagious infection.
Untreated, the infection may lead to rapid destruction of the periodontal tissues and can spread into nearby tissues
such as the cheeks, lips or jawbone (developing into necrotizing stomatitis) and destroy them.
If much of the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth are destroyed, tooth loss is inevitable.
Although it can lead to serious complications if left untreated, treatment of trench mouth disease is, in most cases, simple and effective.
Trenchmouth is now rare in developed countries, affecting mostly people with a weakened immune system.
ANUG occurs much more commonly in developing nations with poor nutrition and poor living conditions.
Signs And Symptoms of Trench Mouth Disease (ANUG)
Signs and symptoms of trench mouth often begin suddenly and can develop rapidly.
Usually the first symptoms of ANUG include:
Painful gums (the gums are red, inflamed or/and swollen).
Foul taste in the mouth and bad breath.
The following symptoms of Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis develop later:
Gum bleeding in response to any pressure or irritation.
Severe discomfort when eating or swallowing
Crater-like ulcers on the gums between the teeth, filled with plaque and food debris.
Grayish film on the gums, created by decomposed gum tissue, is one of the most characteristic symptoms of trench mouth.
Destruction of gum tissue around the teeth Gum tissue between teeth becomes infected and dies, and starts to disappear.
Often, what appears to be remaining is dead gum tissue.
Swollen lymph nodes of the head and neck.
Mild fever and fatigue
Diagnosis of Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis
Visit your dentist immediately if you notice any of the symptoms of trench mouth (described above).
ANUG can result into serious mouth problems like loss of tissue and loss of teeth.
A visual examination of the mouth by the dentist is usually enough for the diagnosis of ANUG.
Even if it proves not to be trench mouth disease but another condition such as gingivitis or periodontitis,
it is important to get treatment as soon as possible to prevent any damage to teeth or gums.
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