Trench mouth laboratory findings
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.
Exams and Tests
The health care provider will look at your mouth for signs of trench mouth:
- Crater-like ulcers filled with plaque and food debris
- Destruction of gum tissue around the teeth
- Inflamed gums
There may be a gray film caused by broken down (decomposed) gum tissue. Occasionally, there may be fever and swollen lymph nodes of the head and neck. Dental x-rays or x-rays of the face may be done to determine how severe the infection is and how much tissue has been destroyed. This disease may also be tested for by a throat swab culture.