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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffYour mouth naturally contains microorganisms, including fungi, viruses and bacteria. In trench mouth, though, harmful bacteria grow out of control, causing infection of your gums. This infection can damage or destroy the delicate gum tissue (gingiva) that surrounds and supports your teeth. Large ulcers, often filled with bacteria, food debris and decaying tissue, may form on your gums, leading to severe pain, bad breath and a foul taste in your mouth.
Precisely how these bacteria destroy gum tissue isn't known. But it's thought that enzymes and toxins produced by the bacteria play a role.
- Chow AW. Epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical manifestations of odontogenic infections. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 7, 2010.
- Wilder RS, et al. Gingivitis and periodontitis in adults: Classification and dental treatment. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 7, 2010.
- Gingivitis. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec08/ch095/ch095c.html?qt=trench%20mouth&alt=sh. Accessed July 21, 2010.
- Academy report. Treatment of plaque-induced gingivitis, chronic periodontitis, and other clinical conditions. Journal of Periodontology. 2001;72:1790.
- Informational paper. The pathogenesis of periodontal disease. Journal of Periodontology. 1999;70:457.
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