Vincent's angina

• ANATOMY OR SYSTEM AFFECTED: Gums, jaw, mouth, pharynx, throat, tissue, tonsils
• ALSO KNOWN AS: Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis, trench mouth, Vincent’s disease, Vincent’s stomatitis

Definition

Vincent’s angina, named for French physician Jean Hyacinthe Vincent, is a severe bacterial infection of the gums, mouth, pharynx, and tonsils, resulting in swelling, bleeding, pain, and ulceration of the gums, mouth, and jaw.

Causes

Vincent’s angina is caused by the buildup of Fusobacterium and spirochetes in the mouth, primarily because of poor oral hygiene. The normal balance of bacteria in the mouth becomes seriously compromised, resulting in a pronounced infection that ravages the gums, throat, and tonsils. Poor overall health, improper diet, smoking, lack of dental care, stress, and a weakened immune system all contribute to creating an extreme imbalance in the otherwise healthy level of oral bacteria.

Risk Factors

Those who live in extreme poverty are at greatest risk for Vincent’s angina because they often lack the means to practice adequate oral hygiene, are malnourished, and receive little or no dental care. Smoking also greatly increases the likelihood of Vincent’s angina. People under increased emotional stress are more susceptible to developing the disease, and persons with weakened immune systems, especially those with diabetes or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, are at much greater risk of developing Vincent’s angina.

Symptoms

Vincent’s angina symptoms include red, swollen, or bleeding gums accompanied by severe pain, bad breath, fever, difficulty swallowing and chewing, oral ulcers, and swollen lymph glands in the throat and neck.

Screening and Diagnosis

After a visual exam, a throat swab culture is taken and examined for increased levels of Fusobacterium and spirochetes in the mouth. Also, dental and facial X-rays are ordered to determine how much tissue of the gums, bone, or teeth has already been destroyed by the infection.

Treatment and Therapy

Treatment begins by prescribing good oral hygiene and providing demonstrations of proper oral care. If fever, severe gum pain, and bleeding are present, antibiotics, particularly penicillin, are administered. Lidocaine applied directly to the gums will help reduce pain and swelling. Hydrogen peroxide is used to rinse the mouth and gums regularly, clearing away damaged tissue. Additional saltwater rinses of the mouth several times per day help to soothe the gums and decrease pain. All hot, spicy foods should be avoided while undergoing treatment, so that the symptoms of Vincent’s angina will not be exacerbated. After the gums have become less painful and less tender, a dentist or dental assistant should clean the teeth, scraping away plaque to assist further healing.

Prevention and Outcomes

Good oral hygiene, involving brushing and flossing the teeth a minimum of twice per day, is the best prevention for Vincent’s angina. Regular professional cleaning of the teeth by a dentist or dental assistant is also a deterrent. Stopping smoking, eating a more nutritious diet, exercising, and reducing emotional stress are also effective in helping prevent Vincent’s angina.

Bibliography

Chow, Anthony W. “Infections of the Oral Cavity, Head, and Neck.” In Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett’s Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases, edited by Gerald L. Mandell, John F. Bennett, and Raphael Dolin. 7th ed. New York: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier, 2010.

Galgut, Peter N., Sherie A. Dowsett, and Michael J. Kowolik. Periodontics: Current Concepts and Treatment Strategies. London: Martin Dunitz, 2001.

Langlais, Robert P., and Craig S. Miller. Color Atlas of Common Oral Diseases. 4th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2009.

Wiegand, Susanne, et al. "Vincent's Angina." Deustches Arzteblatt, 2 Dec. 2022, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10074262/. Accessed 4 Dec. 2025.