The disease has been with us for some time. It is not contagious. It became extremely apparent during World One for our soldiers in the trenches. Then it was called ‘Trench Mouth” then. The condition seems to develop during periods of stress such as final exam week, mother lost her child, young lady’s first day at college, etc.
The teeth are covered with an epithelium that resist bacteria. This means there must be some break in the epithelium before the bacteria can enter the tissue. Once bacteria have penetrated the epithelium, they will eat tissue, vessels, nerves, and bone acquiring nutrients to increases their numbers.
Ulcers are the process of bacteria entering the weaken or broken tissue. Therefore, for the ulceration to take place, the epithelium has to be weakened or be torn to allow the bacteria to enter. This can take place in the stomach when there is a high acid build up weakening the stomach lining.
Ulcers occur in the gingival tissues after they have been broken down severely by the....