Treatment of NG is by removal of dead gum tissue and antibiotics (usually metronidazole) in the acute phase, and improving oral hygiene to prevent recurrence.

The informal name trench mouth arose during World War I as many soldiers developed the disease, probably because of the poor conditions and extreme psychological stress.

[2] Malaise, fever and/or cervical lymph node enlargement are rare (unlike the typical features of herpetic stomatitis).

[3] Necrotizing periodontal diseases are caused by a mixed bacterial infection that includes anaerobes such as P. intermedia[1] and Fusobacterium as well as spirochetes, such as Treponema.

[1] Necrotizing gingivitis is an opportunistic infection that occurs on a background of impaired local or systemic host defenses.

[1] Untreated, the infection may lead to rapid destruction of the periodontium and can spread, as necrotizing stomatitis or noma, into neighbouring tissues in the cheeks, lips or the bones of the jaw.

Uncommon, except in lower socioeconomic classes, this typically affects adolescents and young adults, especially in institutions, armed forces, etc., or people with HIV/AIDS.

Hunter describes the clinical features of necrotizing gingivitis in 1778, differentiating it from scurvy (avitaminosis C) and chronic periodontitis.

Vincent's angina is sometimes confused with NUG, however the former is tonsillitis and pharyngitis, and the latter involves the gums, and usually the two conditions occur in isolation from each other.

The term trench mouth evolved because the disease was observed in front line soldiers during World War I, thought to be a result at least partly because of extreme psychologic stress they were exposed to.

[2] The same condition was appearing in civilians during periods of bombing raids, who were away from the front line, and who had relatively good diets during wartime due to rationing, so it is assumed that psychologic stress was the significant causative factor.