Trench mouth is the common name for which periodontal condition?

• A. Leukoplakia
• B. Chronic periodontitis
• C. Oral candidiasis
• D. Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis

Answer: (D)

Trench mouth is an acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis, an acute infection of the gingival tissues. It presents with sudden gingival pain, redness and swelling, and ulceration of the interdental papillae often with a grayish pseudomembrane, spontaneous bleeding, and a very foul breath. Predisposing factors include poor oral hygiene, stress, fatigue, smoking, and malnutrition, with infection usually due to a mix of anaerobic bacteria such as spirochetes and Fusobacteria. If untreated, it can progress to more extensive tissue destruction. This presentation is distinct from leukoplakia (a white patch), chronic periodontitis (long-standing attachment and bone loss), or oral candidiasis (white plaques that can be scraped away), which do not show the same acute necrotizing gingival ulcers and halitosis.