Trench mouth causes

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Trench mouth is a polymicrobial infection of the gums leading to inflammation, bleeding, deep ulceration and necrotic gum tissue; there may also be fever.

Causes

Causative organisms include anaerobes such as Bacteroides and Fusobacterium as well as spirochetes (Borrelia and Treponema spp.). The condition is caused by an overpopulation of established mouth bacteria due to a number of interacting factors such as poor hygiene, poor diet, smoking, other infections.

See also

• Trench foot
• Riggs' disease