Five things your smile can tell you about your health – including early signs of cancer

What are the symptoms of syphilis?

Symptoms of the STI include:
• Ulcers on the genitalia and around the anus
• Sores inside the mouth
• White or grey warts on the genitalia and around the anus
• A rash on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet
• White patches inside the mouth
• Flu-like symptoms
• Swollen glands
• Patchy hair loss.

What other signs inside the mouth can indicate ill health?

As well as white patches and receding gums, mouth ulcers can also be indicative of something wrong. Dixon says these can be caused by a range of issues such as: “Biting inside the cheek, poor-fitting dentures, toothpastes containing sodium lauryl sulphate, food sensitivities, infections, hormonal changes, deficiencies in B vitamins, zinc and iron or certain diseases.”

Mouth ulcers are normally harmless and heal after a matter of weeks depending on their cause.

What about bad breath?

Bad breath is the most notable and well known sign that something is wrong. However, it isn’t just caused by something one ate or poor oral hygiene, it can also be a sign of gum disease too.

Often, the best way to alleviate bad breath is to improve oral hygiene by regularly brushing the area and avoiding certain substances such as tobacco and alcohol.