- Oral Health is also general health from the perspective of the Mouth or how the mouth can affect general health:

"The first Surgeon General's Report on Oral Health in America, released last week, highlights how oral health goes far beyond having good teeth and gums. According to the 309-page report, the mouth serves as an important "early warning system" about disease. It can alert dentists and other health professionals to a wide variety of disorders, from the early signs of HIV infection to jawbone loss that can signal the delibitating bone disease osteoporosis."...... "Not only does the mouth mirror what is happening in the body, but it can also be a key entry point for infection, the report notes. Aside from such invaders as streptococcus (the bacteria responsible for strep throat), the mouth also provides a route for a huge array of organisms to enter the body via such seemingly harmless activities as eating, brushing and flossing. The latest research points to a troubling link between some seemingly innocuous infections and serious illnesses such as heart disease. Oral bacteria may also have the potential for causing respiratory illnesses."

Sally Squires, Smart Mouth; the Surgeon General says Oral Care is the Key to Good Health in Washington Post, May 30, 2000