Trench Mouth: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment
06-04-2025
Trench mouth is a serious form of gum disease caused by the buildup of harmful bacteria in the mouth. Trench mouth can cause bleeding and swollen gums, ulcers, and mouth lesions. If left untreated, it can even destroy tissue in your gums and jaw. The condition is serious but also rare, occurring most frequently in adolescents and young adults with poor oral hygiene or poor nutrition. In this article, we will look in depth at what trench mouth is, examining its causes, symptoms, and common treatment methods used to combat it.
Key Takeaways
- Trench mouth is a serious but rare form of gum disease that can affect tissue in the gums and jaw. It is an advanced form of gingivitis and requires medical treatment.
- Trench mouth can be quite painful and cause bleeding and swelling of the gums, as well as ulcers, oral lesions in the jaw and cheeks as well. Medical attention is essential if you believe you have the condition.
- Trench mouth is most common in people who do not have access to adequate nutrition or oral care but can also arise due to diabetes or HIV. It is most common in teens and young adults.
- Dentists will be able to easily diagnose trench mouth, however treatment can vary from anything as simple as prescribing antibiotics and a dental hygiene clean, to requiring surgery.
What is Trench Mouth?
Trench mouth is an advanced form of gingivitis, a common gum disease caused by the buildup of bacteria. As with other gum infections, trench mouth can cause bleeding and swollen gums and ulcers, but it may also lead to painful mouth lesions between teeth and dead tissue in the gums, jaw, and cheeks.
Trench mouth is also called acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG). It is most common in people with immunodeficiency conditions, including HIV, and those who do not have access to adequate dental care or nutrition.
Causes of Trench Mouth
Trench mouth is caused by the buildup of bacteria on and in the gums. Those with gingivitis, a less serious gum infection, are more at risk of developing the condition due to the presence of bacteria in the mouth already. Although a gum infection causes trench mouth, several risk factors can exacerbate your chances of contracting the condition:
Diabetes
Immunodeficiency conditions, including HIV
Sleep deprivation
Stress
Poor oral hygiene
Poor nutrition
Smoking
Alcohol abuse
Trench Mouth Symptoms
As the condition can advance quickly, recognising trench mouth symptoms is vital so you can seek treatment and stop any long-term oral damage. Symptoms of trench mouth tend to be similar to those of a typical gum infection, with the addition of some more serious effects.
Common trench mouth symptoms include:
Painful or swollen gums
Ulcers between the teeth
A yellow or grey membrane coating skin between teeth
A bad taste in the mouth and very bad breath
As the condition advances, symptoms worsen, and a person suffering from developed trench mouth may experience:
Fever
Tiredness or fatigue
Swollen lymph nodes
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should visit your dentist or dental hygienist. A gum infection should always be treated, whether it is the beginning of gingivitis or developed trench mouth, so seeking medical attention is always key.
Diagnosing Trench Mouth
In most cases, your dentist or dental hygienist will be able to diagnose trench mouth easily. To begin with, your dentist or dental hygienist will ask about your oral health history, focusing on the presence of conditions linked to trench mouth, including gingivitis (or other forms of gum disease) and autoimmune conditions.
After this, a simple examination involving touching your gums to check for bleeding and performing an X-ray to see if the condition has spread should be enough to determine whether you have trench mouth. A dentist or dental hygienist may also check the lymph nodes for swelling and request a blood test to check for bacteria and underlying conditions linked to the development of trench mouth.
How to Treat Trench Mouth
Though trench mouth is a serious condition, it is relatively easy to treat and cure. Treatment will typically involve:
OTC pain relievers to dull pain from ulcers or sore
A professional cleaning from a dental hygienist
Prescribed antibiotics to stop the spread of infection
If trench mouth has damaged your gum tissue, gum infection treatment may not be sufficient. In cases where damage has caused gaps to form between teeth, surgery may be required to fill them and prevent further infection.
Risks if Trench Mouth is Left Untreated
Trench mouth is a serious oral infection that can lead to significant and lasting complications if not treated promptly. Left unchecked, it may result in:
Tooth loss
Weight loss
Dehydration
In extreme cases, oral gangrene due to severe gum infection
Like other forms of advanced gum disease, the harmful bacteria involved can spread beyond the mouth to other parts of the body.
How to Prevent Trench Mouth
Maintaining good oral hygiene is the most important prevention method for trench mouth and other forms of gum disease. To ensure that your chances of contracting trench mouth are as low as possible, make sure you are brushing your teeth twice per day and are regularly flossing.
Trench mouth is also more prevalent when a person is regularly stressed, fatigued, and not following a healthy diet. Managing your stress and ensuring that key nutrients are in your diet is an effective way to prevent trench mouth and improve your overall health as well.
Protect Your Gums
Trench mouth is a severe oral infection, that appears most commonly in people who have poor oral hygiene and limited access to dental care. It derives from contracting gingivitis and can be diagnosed by the swelling and bleeding gums, mouth ulcers and oral lesions. While treatment is usually effective—with options ranging from antibiotics to deep cleaning, and in severe cases, surgery—the best approach is prevention.
Regular visits to the dentist and dental hygienist will help with early detection but maintaining a consistent and thorough oral hygiene routine is key. Oral-B iO Series electric toothbrushes are designed to provide a superior clean compared to a manual toothbrush, helping to remove plaque and target hard-to-reach areas with precision and care. The iO Series makes it easier to keep your gums healthy.
Oral-B champions everyday oral health, and through the power of iO technology, aims to help you stay ahead of potential issues before they become serious.
FAQs
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About Our Medical Reviewers
Dr Robert Lee is a dentist with more than thirty years of experience in the industry. Graduating from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery and from the University of New South Wales with a Master of Business Administration, Robert’s career has taken him all over the world – from Australia to Germany to his current position in Chicago, where he is the founder of Denticus Inc., offering strategic dental consulting. Robert has previously worked for Procter & Gamble as the Director of Professional Scientific Relations in both the Cincinnati and Sydney offices, being responsible for external relations and scientific exchange with leading professional associations and industry thought leaders. He was also responsible for all technical and scientific training for the professional teams in North America and Australia. Robert has been assisting the team at Oral-B by fact-checking and reviewing our blogs on dental health.
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