Trench mouth is an infection that affects the mouth and throat. The condition is also known by the terms Vincent’s infection and necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis. It was given the name trench mouth during World War I (1914-1918), when thousands of soldiers got it while fighting in the trenches. The infection is caused by bacteria that are normally present in small numbers in everyone’s mouth. Most cases of trench mouth occur when such factors as stress, poor nutrition, or smoking disrupt the mouth’s environment and these bacteria multiply.
The first symptoms of trench mouth are often mouth pains and bad breath. The infection most commonly affects the gums, which develop swelling, bleeding, and sores. As the infection progresses, it may destroy tissue. In some cases, trench mouth affects the tonsils, lymph nodes, and other areas of the mouth and throat. Doctors treat the infection by prescribing antibiotics and removing any damaged tissue.
