4. Cracked Mouth Corners and a Swollen, Painful Tongue

Your oral tissues turn over rapidly, making your mouth an early indicator of micronutrient shortages.

Painful splits and irritation at the corners of your mouth, known as angular cheilosis, frequently signal low vitamin B6.

You may also develop glossitis, a painful condition where your tongue becomes swollen, fiery red, and unusually smooth.

Oral sores make chewing and swallowing uncomfortable, which inadvertently reduces your daily food intake and accelerates malnutrition.

Checking your mouth regularly helps you spot nutritional deficiencies before they provoke systemic complications.