Mouth - A Diagnostic Mirror of Various Diseases.

ABSTRACT

The mouth is a unique site, due to the presence of hard and soft tissues in close approximation. It serves in various purposes of speech, mastication and digestion. It is an important entry point for many pathogens in the body. Many systemic diseases manifest in the oral cavity and mouth can show early signs or the only signs of a disease process at a site elsewhere. As the mouth is an easily accessible site, the indicators it shows of various diseases should not be overlooked. A dentist thus can frequently be exposed to such conditions and play a key role in the diagnostic procedure of various systemic diseases. Appropriate knowledge of these oral manifestations is essential for early diagnosis, treatment and referral of cases.