Origin, Symptoms And Treatment Of Trench

Sagittarius, also known as acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis, is a rare disease nowadays. The characteristic nickname stems from the fact that it used to hit soldiers in war because of the unhealthy conditions and habits they had to endure during conflicts.

It manifests itself as an acute and painful infection in which the gums bleed due to necrosis of the papillae and an overall attack on the oral health. According to studies, it is usually linked to AIDS these days. This is because acquired immune deficiency usually causes oral problems in 90 percent of patients.

What causes it?

Sagittarius is a painful form of inflammation of the gums, also known as gingivitis. The bacterial species Bacillus  fusiformis and Borrelia  Vincentii  are associated with the lesions that occur here. However, they are not the only ones.

According to scientific studies, there are four zones in the affected region:

• The bacterial zone is a large mass of bacteria with special morphologies and characteristics. These are not necessarily harmful to begin with, but their excessively rapid growth causes the disease. 
• A zone rich in neutrophils, which is the most numerous leukocyte in the blood and one of the first to reach the infectious concentration. These are part of the plaster and are in this case present in the bacterial zone.
• The necrotic zone is where cell death occurs. Spiro chains, a type of bacteria with a long spiral shape, dominate here.
• Spirocetal infiltration occurs in the last layer where the spirochetes infiltrate and there are no other types of bacteria here.

According to the US National Library of Medicine, the following factors can trigger the bacterial overgrowth that causes trench mouth: Stress, poor oral hygiene, smoking, malnutrition, and a weak immune system.

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What are the symptoms of trench mouth?

The MSD manual claims that the infection usually begins suddenly with pain and bleeding gums plus excessive saliva. Some of the most common clinical signs are as follows:

• Bad breath that is noticeable for its unpleasant odor.
• Crater-like wounds between the teeth.
• Fever.
• An unpleasant taste in the mouth that is perceived by the patient himself (some describe it as a metallic taste).
• Grayish film over the gums appearing red and bloody.

The patient will have difficulty performing common activities such as talking, eating, and swallowing because of these symptoms. The lymph nodes in the throat also swell in response to the infection (lymphadenopathy).

Possible complications

Due to the problems of eating and living normally , other common complications are weight loss, dehydration and loss of teeth. It is possible that the bacteria can infiltrate the blood if a person with this condition ignores the clinical signs, which can lead to bacteremia.

The spread of the infection can be devastating as it affects several organs. Furthermore, there is septic shock. It occurs when the body overreacts and blood pressure drops.

Diagnosis

As indicated by the scientific portal Drugs, medical examination is the first step to discovering trench mouth. The doctor will examine for sores, grayish plaque around the teeth and destruction of the gum tissue. The diagnosis is usually quick.

A doctor will ask for blood tests and x-rays. The latter is to assess the amount of damage that the infection has caused, as well as the extent of the presence of lesions. The approach hereafter will depend on the severity of the clinical picture. 

When to seek medical attention?

Any kind of inflammation in the gums requires medical intervention and not all of them are due to infections. However, one has to rule out this disease well in advance.

An infection in the mouth can be significantly aggravated if not treated in time because the bacteria can enter the bloodstream.

Available treatments of trench mouth

According to the health portal, Siegfried Rhein, the goal of treatment is to cure the infection and relieve the symptomatic discomfort. People can do this through the use of antibiotics, but the primary pillars in the treatment of trench mouths are: 

• Professional cleaning, slowly and thoroughly over several consecutive days. This disease responds well to in-depth dental hygiene.
• Patients should do periodic cleansing with saline or hydrogen peroxide solution at home.

• Doctors usually advise patients not to brush their teeth due to the fragility of the oral apparatus which is caused by the disease. After cleansing and cleansing, patients need to brush them for the rest of their lives to prevent the recurrence of the disease. 

Prevention

This is simple and based on good nutrition, proper oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist to have your teeth checked. Professionals also recommend that patients stay active and quit smoking.

In addition to all this, trench mouth has an important psychological component as in many cases it is related to stress. For that reason, patients sometimes need to seek help beyond the pharmacological field to deal with pathologies such as this.

Sagittarius has almost disappeared

This disease is not as common as it used to be, as personal hygiene standards continue to improve. You need to brush your teeth every day and visit your dentist periodically. It is important so that the doctor can assess possible misalignments to prevent it.