Trench mouth overview: Difference between revisions
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==Causes== | ==Causes== | ||
Causative organisms include anaerobes such as Bacteroides and Fusobacterium as well as spirochetes (Borrelia and Treponema spp.). The condition is caused by an overpopulation of established mouth bacteria due to a number of interacting factors such as poor hygiene, poor diet, smoking, other infections. | Causative organisms include anaerobes such as Bacteroides and Fusobacterium as well as spirochetes (Borrelia and Treponema spp.). The condition is caused by an overpopulation of established mouth bacteria due to a number of interacting factors such as poor hygiene, poor diet, smoking, other infections. | ||
==Diagnosis== | |||
===Laboratory Findings=== | |||
There may be a gray film caused by broken down (decomposed) gum tissue. Occasionally, there may be fever and swollen lymph nodes of the head and neck. This disease may also be tested for by a throat swab culture. | |||
===X Rays=== | |||
Dental x-rays or x-rays of the face may be done to determine how severe the infection is and how much tissue has been destroyed. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 04:04, 12 December 2012
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Trench mouth is a polymicrobial infection of the gums leading to inflammation, bleeding, deep ulceration and necrotic gum tissue; there may also be fever.
Causes
Causative organisms include anaerobes such as Bacteroides and Fusobacterium as well as spirochetes (Borrelia and Treponema spp.). The condition is caused by an overpopulation of established mouth bacteria due to a number of interacting factors such as poor hygiene, poor diet, smoking, other infections.
Diagnosis
Laboratory Findings
There may be a gray film caused by broken down (decomposed) gum tissue. Occasionally, there may be fever and swollen lymph nodes of the head and neck. This disease may also be tested for by a throat swab culture.
X Rays
Dental x-rays or x-rays of the face may be done to determine how severe the infection is and how much tissue has been destroyed.