Trench mouth disease: causes and treatment
Gingivitis is a disease on the gums generally characterized by inflammation of the gums. Trench mouth disease is a severe form of gingivitis that causes bad breath, painful, bleeding gums and ulcerations. Its name was derived from the World War I when a lot of soldiers acquired this disease. Although trench mouth is rare these days, it is still common in countries wherein there is poor nutrition and poor living conditions.
Causes
The exact cause of trench mouth disease is currently unknown but is generally found to be because of bacterial infection due to poor dental hygiene. When the balance between the good and bad bacteria in the mouth are said to be disrupted, then trench mouth disease could appear. Habits and conditions which are bad for one’s dental health are also said to influence the growth of the disease such as smoking, stress and nutritional deficiency. Also, a weak immune system causes trench mouth.
Reasons to treat
Although trench mouth disease would sometimes go away without proper treatment, leaving it untreated is still a big risk to one’s overall dental health. If left untreated, it may progress into periodontitis, which is a more serious form of gum disease, or the infection could spread into other parts of the mouth which in turn may develop into other types of oral diseases such as tooth abscess.
Treatment
There are several ways to treat trench mouth disease. Getting advice from a professional is always the best option. A dentist can remove the dead gum tissues, getting rid of the pain and then proceed to removing the rest of the bacteria by taking out plaque and tartar along the gum line. These processes can be repeated several times to ensure that the disease is gone and to prevent further infection. Antibiotics may be prescribed to aid the removal.
Home Remedies and Prevention
At the earlier stages, it is possible to treat trench mouth by maintaining proper dental care. One may opt to try gargling a simple warm water and salt solution several times a day to keep the mouth clean and to prevent the infection from progressing. Regular brushing and flossing is also recommended along with antiseptic mouthwashes. It is also recommended to take on a proper diet plan consisting of nutritional foods including fruits, vegetables and a good source of calcium. But if the previous home remedies doesn’t stop the infection to develop, it may be the time to go see a dental professional as most dental problems get worse with time.
