Your mouth’s hue could be a glaring indicator of your wellbeing, an expert has warned. While it may not sound as romantic as the eyes being ‘the window to your soul’, Healthline medical professionals advise that you should regularly inspect the inside of your mouth for any unusual colour changes, which could signal underlying health issues.
Surprisingly, this includes oral herpes – a sexually transmitted infection that can cause yellowish canker sores to appear on the roof of your mouth.
Eleesha Lockett, the nutrition and health specialist, explained: “Most causes of a yellow roof of the mouth are not serious. However, a few causes require medical attention, such as jaundice, certain infections, and oral cancer.”
It’s crucial to consult with a GP if you’re worried about the colour inside your mouth, but there are some definite red flags to watch out for that may hint to a more severe problem.
For example, Eleesha notes that a yellow palate accompanied by white or grey patches might be due to Leukoplakia.
This condition typically develops from irritation inside the mouth, and sufferers are at an increased risk of developing oral cancer later on. Conversely, if you have a sore throat along with a yellow roof in your mouth, it could point to a bacterial issue.
Strep throat and pharyngitis are both conditions that can often be treated with antibiotics. However, a yellowish tinge is more commonly associated with poor oral hygiene and tobacco use.
Eleesha added: “You can improve your oral hygiene by: brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist regularly, avoiding tobacco product [and] avoiding mouthwash products with oxidising agents.”
Aside from this, experts also suggest keeping an eye on the colour of your tongue as this can also reveal a great deal about your health. In a previous Mirror article, Dr Lawrence Cunningham, a GP at the UK Care Guide, said: “I’ve seen that certain signs on the tongue can indeed suggest underlying health issues.
“For instance, a very red tongue can sometimes indicate a fever or an inflammatory condition, while a tongue with a thick white coating might suggest a fungal infection like oral thrush. Also, a smooth, glossy tongue could be a sign of a nutritional deficiency, particularly vitamin B12 or iron.
“From what I’ve observed, another key indicator is the presence of sores or ulcers on the tongue, which can sometimes be symptomatic of more serious conditions such as oral cancer or underlying systemic diseases.”
