About this topic
Trench mouth is a painful gum disease. You may have a very bad infection of your gums. You may also have sores on your gums. ‚
What are the causes?
It is caused by germs in your mouth. ‚
What can make this more likely to happen?
- Poor mouth care
- Poor eating habits and diet
- Weak body resistance
- Smoking or chewing tobacco
- Diseases that give you a weak immune system, like cancer or HIV
What are the main signs?
- Bad breath
- Foul taste in the mouth
- Painful gums
- Reddened, grayish film on the gums
- Sores between teeth
- Bleeding gums when pressed
- Fever
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
Your dentist will check your mouth to look for any signs of trench mouth. Your dentist may take x-rays. This will help see how bad the infection is around your teeth and gums. You may need to have a throat swab culture to know the type of germs to treat. ‚
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
You will have your teeth and gums cleaned. Next, you will use a mouth wash to rinse the gums. This will help get rid of all of the dead gum tissue in the affected area. It will be important that you take extra good care of your teeth and gums until you are healthy. ‚
You may need surgery if there is a lot of damage to your gums from the disease. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The dentist may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Fight an infection
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Brush your teeth at least 2 times each day to get rid of plaque. Use fluoride toothpaste. Try using an electric toothbrush to remove plaque from the teeth. It may work better in hard to reach places than a regular toothbrush.
- Floss each day. Use regular floss or dental picks. Ask your dentist which tools will work best for you.
- See your dentist 1 to 2 times each year for a professional cleaning and check-up. You may need to go more often if you are having problems. People with periodontal disease may also need to go more often.
- Eat a healthy diet. Avoid sugary foods, drinks, and sodas. Limit snacking. If you do snack, make healthy choices such as low-fat dairy products or vegetables.
- Do not smoke or use tobacco products. If you do smoke, talk with your dentist about trying to quit.
Where can I learn more?
American Dental Association ‚
http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/g/gum-disease ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚