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The mouth as a mirror of the body

BDJ Student volume 32, pages 32–33 (2025)Cite this article

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As dentists, we learn early on that the mouth can reveal secrets to overall health. From a dental abscess whispering about diabetes to bleeding gums telling us a patient may be expecting, the signs are all there, but only if we choose to look. The human body is simply a marvel of interconnected systems, where each organ, tissue, and cell play a vital role in maintaining overall health and functionality. From intricate molecular interactions to the harmonious orchestration of bodily systems, this interplay enables us to perform daily activities, respond to stimuli, and recover from injuries. Among these components, the mouth stands out as a vital yet underappreciated player.

Oral health is not limited to avoiding cavities and a pretty smile for Instagram, as important as the latter is in modern society. Instead, our oral cavity is essential to the body's ecosystem. As a dental student, I am constantly reminded of its dual significance - as the site of essential functions like chewing and speech, and a mirror reflecting systemic health and lifestyle habits. By studying the mouth, we gain a unique opportunity to detect underlying conditions, making dentistry a cornerstone of preventive healthcare. Minor patient complaints like chronic bad breath, and more prominent issues like mobile teeth could extend beyond poor brushing habits. By finding the underlying cause, we can address these problems at the roots!

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  1. King´s College London, London, United Kingdom

    Fnan Ogbagabriel

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  1. Fnan Ogbagabriel
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Correspondence to Fnan Ogbagabriel.

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Ogbagabriel, F. The mouth as a mirror of the body. BDJ Student 32, 32–33 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41406-025-1470-7

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