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Causes

By Mayo Clinic staff

Your mouth naturally contains microorganisms, including fungi, viruses and bacteria. If your immune system, which fights infections, is weak, its ability to fight harmful bacteria is lowered. This can result in trench mouth, where 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. Exactly how these bacteria destroy gum tissue isn't known, but it's likely that enzymes and toxins produced by the bacteria play a role.

Risk factors Symptoms
References
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  2. Wilder RS, et al. Gingivitis and periodontitis in adults: Classification and dental treatment. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed March 4, 2013.
  3. 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 March 4, 2013.
  4. Baumgartner A, et al. The phylum Synergistetes in gingivitis and necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis. Journal of Medical Microbiology. 2012;61:1600.
  5. Tips for coping with stress. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pub/coping_with_stress_tips.html. Accessed March 4, 2013.
  6. Li AW, et al. The effects of yoga on anxiety and stress. Alternative Medicine Review. 2012;17:21.
  7. Sheridan PJ (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 8, 2013.
  8. Koka S (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 21, 2013.
DS00457 April 9, 2013

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