Yellow phlegm is a sign that your body is fighting off a mild infection. "White blood cells are responsible for fighting infections, and as they get picked up in the mucus, they can cause it to have a yellowish hue," says Dr. Kreel.
Excess fluoride can occasionally cause pearly white, yellow or brownish-yellow spots on teeth called fluorosis. But before you spit out your fluoridated tap water, here's an important reminder: fluoride is good for teeth – in the right amount. So keep drinking that tap water and using fluoride toothpaste.
Yellow phlegm is a sign that your body is fighting off a mild infection. "White blood cells are responsible for fighting infections, and as they get picked up in the mucus, they can cause it to have a yellowish hue," says Dr. Kreel.
One of the first signs of a cold is green or yellow mucus. It's no reason for concern, and in fact, it means your body is working extra hard to fight off infection. White blood cells rush to battle infection, and when they've done their job, they get flushed out of the body along with the virus.
Drink warm fluids to help clear your mouth of thick saliva and to help 'wash' food down. Rinse your mouth and gargle with club soda or baking soda rinse (1/4 tsp baking soda mixed with 1 cup water) before and after eating. Limit caffeine, alcohol and spicy foods.
Saliva should be clear and thin. If yours is white and thicker than normal, you could have a yeast infection called thrush or candidiasis. This condition may appear as white patches on your mouth and tongue. Tell your dentist or doctor about this right away.
Medical treatment for yellow tongue usually isn't necessary. If tongue discoloration bothers you, try gently brushing your tongue with a solution that is 1 part hydrogen peroxide and 5 parts water once a day. Rinse your mouth with water afterward several times.
Tonsil stones form when debris, such as food, dead cells, bacteria, and other substances, becomes trapped on the tonsils. The debris hardens as calcium builds up around it, forming tonsil stones. These stones are also called “tonsil calculi” or “tonsilloliths.” They are usually visible as white or yellowish lumps.
If you wake up every morning and are met with a strange, white film coating the inside of your mouth, you might be wondering what could possibly be causing this to happen. This sticky, disgusting layer of film is called oral thrush, and it's normal to want to rid your mouth of the foul substance as quickly as possible!
Trench mouth, or acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis, is extremely painful. It appears as yellow-white ulcers that bleed easily. The infection is caused by poor oral hygiene, but stress and smoking often contribute.
Ongoing studies indicate that your spit may be useful for detecting various types of diseases including gum disease, multiple cancers (including breast cancer), heart disease, diabetes, Sjögren's syndrome, and many more health conditions that can substantially impact your life.
Mucus is usually clear, gray, or white. Green or yellow mucus may be a sign of an infection. Brown mucus can affect people who smoke and those with black lung disease, which results from exposure to coal dust. Mucus that contains blood may be pink or red.
While anxiety is often associated with dry mouth (xerostomia), anxiety can also be a contributing factor for excessive saliva, drooling, and squirting.
Postnasal drip refers to excess mucus that someone may feel in the back of the nose and throat, causing a constant need to clear the throat. It may lead to symptoms, such as a sore throat and trouble swallowing. Environmental triggers, such as allergies, cold weather, or dry air, may cause postnasal drip.
Several studies have confirmed that a yellow, thickened tongue coating is associated with chronic cases of gastritis or inflammation of the stomach lining, especially when caused by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori.
When you do cough up phlegm (another word for mucus) from your chest, Dr. Boucher says it really doesn't matter if you spit it out or swallow it.
Phlegm is a type of mucus that comes from the lungs and respiratory tract. Problems in the lungs can cause phlegm to change color. Green or yellow phlegm can occur with an infection, but brown phlegm might be a sign of bleeding in the lungs. Typically, phlegm is clear, thin, and unnoticeable.
Postnasal drip: The body produces excess mucus when sinus problems or allergies occur with upper respiratory tract infections. The excess mucus can drain down into the throat, especially when lying down. This is called postnasal drip and is one of the most common causes of morning cough.
Sticky or thick saliva happens when there is not enough moisture in your saliva, creating a thicker consistency. In some cases, mucus will mix with your saliva, creating that stickiness you feel in the back of your throat and mouth.
In older people, frequent drooling may be a sign that your muscle control in your mouth and neck is weakening. When you drool, it is due to having more saliva in your mouth.
They can be white, red, yellow or grey in colour and swollen. It's possible to have more than one mouth ulcer at a time and they may spread or grow. Mouth ulcers shouldn't be confused with cold sores, which are small blisters that develop on the lips or around the mouth.