The top of the mouth is a sensitive area, with many people finding speaking and eating difficult when it’s affected by something such as oral lichen planus. Yellowing of the gums, tongue, and inside of the mouth is well documented, but what causes it? And what can you do about it? Keep reading to learn more about why is the top of your mouth yellow.
Why Is The Top Of The Mouth Yellow?
If you are dealing with yellow teeth and wondering why? You’ve come to the right place. Having a yellow smile can be embarrassing, but it’s not uncommon. It is a sign that something is not right with your oral health and may indicate an underlying issue or problem. If you have yellow teeth, you might be surprised to know that this isn’t always a bad thing! In fact, there are several benefits associated with having a golden grin. It is when things begin to get tricky that you need to know why is the top of my mouth yellow? In this blog post we will go possible reasons why is the top of your mouth yellow? If you are reading this because you have recently discovered that your pearly whites have turned an unappealing shade of mustard, hopefully the following advice will help ease your mind in regards to what it means if the top of your mouth is yellow.
Check Your Diet and Oral Care Habits
- If you are dealing with yellow teeth, the first thing you should check is your diet and oral care habits. As we age, our tooth enamel naturally starts to thin, and our teeth become more susceptible to discoloration.
- Diet and lifestyle choices can also cause teeth to become yellow, including excessive intake of coffee, tea, soda, and certain medications.
- If you have been consuming high amounts of foods and beverages that stain your teeth, such as coffee, red wine, and dark berries, you may notice that your teeth are more yellow than normal.
- Likewise, if you do not regularly brush and floss your teeth, plaque and bacteria can accumulate, causing your teeth to change colour.
Smoking and Tobacco Use
- Another reason why is the top of my mouth yellow? could be due to the fact that you are a smoker. When smoking, the toxins in the tobacco will leave a yellow stain on the teeth.
- The more you smoke, the yellower your teeth become. If you are a smoker and notice a marked change in the colour of your teeth, you should see your dentist. It’s possible that the stain has penetrated below the surface of your teeth, which can lead to a higher risk of cavities and oral health problems.
Mercury Exposure
- Another reason why is the top of my mouth yellow? could be due to mercury exposure. This is often seen in people who eat large amounts of fish. Eating large amounts of fish that contain high levels of mercury can cause a yellow stain on your teeth. This can also be seen in people who consume large amounts of seaweed.
- If you have only occasionally indulged in fish with high mercury levels, it is unlikely that your teeth have been stained. However, if your teeth are consistently yellow, you may want to see your dentist as this can be a sign of mercury poisoning.
Genetics and Age
- Another reason why is the top of my mouth yellow? could be due to genetics and age. If your parents have yellow teeth, it is likely that you will have yellow teeth too. This is due to genetics and is caused by a buildup of plaque in the mouth.
- If you have been diligent in your oral care and have tried to prevent plaque buildup with regular flossing and brushing, but the top of your mouth is still yellow, it might be due to the fact that you inherited the trait from your parents.
Medications
- Another reason why is the top of my mouth yellow? could be due to medications. Certain medications can cause a yellowing of the teeth. This is called melasma and can also cause the gums to become swollen.
- If you have recently started a new medication and have noticed a marked change in the colour of your teeth, you should be sure to talk to your doctor. It is possible that there is an alternative medication which does not cause this side effect.
Heavy Metal Exposure
- Another reason why is the top of my mouth yellow? could be due to heavy metal exposure. This is usually seen in miners, welders, and people who work with heavy metals such as arsenic, bismuth, gold, iron, lead, manganese, silver, tungsten, or uranium.
- If you have been exposed to heavy metals, it is likely that your entire body has been affected. Symptoms of heavy metal exposure include fatigue, headaches, joint pain, and yellowing of the skin and teeth.
Sealant Failure
- Another reason why is the top of my mouth yellow? could be due to sealant failure. When a dentist applies sealants to teeth, they use a blue- or purple-colored liquid. As the teeth and sealants age, they can become discolored.
- If the sealants around your teeth are discolored, they may no longer be protecting them and you should speak to your dentist about replacing them. If you have sealants in your teeth and they suddenly become yellow and you have not changed your diet or habits, it could mean that the sealants have failed and need to be replaced.
Different Causes For The Color Change
There are many reasons for the yellowing of the gums and the inside of the mouth. Some of these reasons are harmless, but others may indicate a more serious problem that requires treatment.
- Bacteria Buildup: A common cause of yellowing of the gums and inside of the mouth is the buildup of bacteria. This leads to inflammation, causing the top of the mouth to become more yellow.
- Gum Disease: Another cause of the top of the mouth becoming yellow is gum disease. This is also known as periodontal disease, and it causes the gums to become swollen and painful. It’s more common in people who don’t brush their teeth regularly or have a history of poor dental hygiene.
- Medication: Some medications may cause the top of the mouth to become yellow. This can include antibiotics, anti-depressants, and anti-anxiety medications. It’s important to discuss any prescription medications with your doctor before taking them.
- Nutritional Deficiencies: A person’s diet could lead to a yellowing of the gums. A lack of iron, vitamins B12, or folate may cause a yellowing of the gums.
Ways To Get Rid Of A Yellowness Of The Mouth
Brush your teeth twice a day
Brushing twice a day is essential for healthy teeth. But if you are experiencing a yucky yellow hue on your teeth, then it is even more important to brush regularly. Cleaning your teeth not only helps you get rid of the visible yellow hue but also controls the possibility of infections and risk of allergies deriving from bacteria residing in the mouth. However, if the yellowness is due to a cause other than not brushing regularly, then brushing your teeth does little to help.
Use a tongue scraper
If you are suffering from a bad breath, chances are your tongue is to blame! Bad breath is one of the most common side effects of a yellowish tinge on your tongue and lips. And because the bad breath is a result of food particles and other germs residing on the surface of your tongue, the only way to fix this is to scrape the tongue clean. Using a tongue scraper does not just clean the surface of your tongue but also scrapes off all the bacteria and germs that may be residing in your mouth. A word of caution, do not scrape your tongue too hard. Doing so might lead to bleeding or might make your bad breath worse.
Gargle with salt water
When your mouth experiences a yellowish tinge, chances are that your mouth might be suffering from a bad case of inflammation. And so if you have the time and patience to go through a detailed process, then you can try and treat inflammation with salt water gargling. If done once every day, salt water gargling can reduce the levels of inflammation in your mouth, which in turn will reduce the yellowness of your mouth. Salt water gargling also helps reduce the occurrence of mouth ulcers, which is another common side effect of a yellowish tinge on your mouth.
Use a professional strength whitening treatment
A professional strength whitening treatment is one of the best ways to get rid of a yellowish tinge on your mouth. A professional strength whitening treatment has the power to get rid of the yellow discoloration of your mouth within just a few days and without any of the hassles that come with home remedies. While a professional-strength whitening treatment is super effective at getting rid of that yucky yellow tinge on your mouth, it is also one of the most expensive ways to do so. A single treatment can cost you upwards of $50, depending on your location and the treatment center you decide to go to.
Get enough vitamin B and C
The yellowish discoloration of the mouth is a sign that the body is lacking vitamin B, which is essential for the proper functioning of all of our organs. If you are already taking a daily dose of vitamin B, then chances are that the yellow discoloration on your mouth is a result of taking too much of it. Vitamin B also has the tendency to discolor your skin and hence, to get rid of the yellowish tinge on your mouth, reduce your dosage of Vitamin B or take alternative pills that are less likely to discolor your hand’s or mouth. Similarly, vitamin C too is essential for a healthy immune system and is one of the best ways to treat and prevent flu. If you are taking daily doses of vitamin C and still seeing a yellowish tinge on your mouth, then you might be suffering from a vitamin C deficiency. A vitamin C deficiency can affect your immune system and lead to a yellowish tinge on your mouth.
Try natural remedies
A yellowish tinge on the mouth can also be a sign of an imbalance in your digestive system. The digestive system is responsible for extracting all the nutrients and vitamins from the food we eat and if it’s not working properly, then it might be a sign that you are suffering from a lack of certain vitamins and minerals. Some of the best ways to get rid of a yellowish tinge on your mouth are by making small lifestyle changes such as eating a well-balanced diet, getting plenty of rest, and exercising. If doing all of these doesn’t get rid of the yellowish tinge on your mouth, then you can also try some natural remedies such as eating papaya, and turmeric and drinking lemon water.
What Treatments For A Yellowness Of The Mouth?
- If your gums and the inside of your mouth are turning yellow, there could be several underlying causes. Your first step should be to see your dentist for a thorough examination and diagnosis.
- If the dentist finds no cause for the yellowing of the mouth, they will most likely prescribe a course of antibiotics.
- If the dentist finds that the yellowing of the mouth is caused by gum disease, they may prescribe a course of antibiotics along with a special mouthwash and an increase in the frequency of dental visits.
- If the yellowing of the mouth is caused by medication, you should speak with your doctor about alternative medications.
- If the yellowing of the mouth is caused by a nutritional deficiency, you should supplement your diet with the appropriate vitamins.
Final Words
The top of the mouth is a sensitive area with many people finding speaking and eating difficult when it’s affected by something such as oral lichen planus. This is why it’s important to know why it is happening and what can be done to treat it. A common cause of yellowing of the gums and inside of the mouth is the buildup of bacteria. It’s important to discuss any prescription medications with your doctor before taking them. A person’s diet could lead to a yellowing of the gums. A lack of iron, vitamins B12, or folate may cause a yellowing of the gums.
