Symptoms:

• Bad breath
• Crater-like ulcers between the teeth
• Foul taste in the mouth
• Gums appear reddened and swollen
• Grayish film on the gums
• Painful gums
• Profuse gum bleeding in response to any pressure or irritation

Note: Symptoms often begin suddenly.

Signs and tests:

The health care provider will look at your mouth for signs of trench mouth:

• Crater-like ulcers filled with plaque and food debris
• Destruction of gum tissue around the teeth
• Inflamed gums

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.

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.

This disease may also be tested for by a throat swab culture.