It is an infection in the oral cavity that causes necrosis of the gums. It is also called tench mouth, Vincent’s infection, and acute ulcerative gingivitis.

Causes

• It is caused by fusiform bacilli and spirochetes.
• Poor oral hygiene.
• Improper dental restoration.
• Tobacco smoking.
• Stress.
• Nutritional deficiency like vitamin b vitamin C.
• Diseases like leukemia, HIV, anemia, and syphilis.

Signs and symptoms

The patient complains of pain and tenderness in the gums. It is associated with a metallic taste 

• and loss of taste sensation.
• Sometimes spontaneous bleeding of gums is also noticed.
• A typical unpleasant odor (bad breath ) is emitted from the mouth.

Teeth 

• become sensitive to pressure and start to move slightly.
• The patient finds difficulty in eating.
• Gums in between the teeth become blunt (image of normal gingiva and other )
• Ulceration develops in the interdental gum area and around the margins of the gums. (image)
• The lesion is covered by a pseudomembrane (a thin film, an adherent layer containing dead cells, debris, bacteria, etc.

• If the condition progresses it will lead to the destruction of the periodontium (i.e. the supporting structures of the teeth )
• Ulceration may also develop on the cheek, lip, tongue, palate, and pharynx. (image)
• Might be associated with fever.
• Enlargement of lymph nodes is seen.

Management

• Removal of pseudomembrane

Rinsing the 

• mouth.
• Antibiotics like penicillin, metronidazole, erythromycin
• Curettage of gums – scaling is performed, complete gum curettage and root planning.
• Lots of fluid consumption and nutritional supplements.