The Tooth Whisperers

The phrase, "the eyes are the windows to the soul," is attributed to several authors and philosophers. But the phrase, "your teeth are the windows to your health," can be attributed to Mohamed Bassiouny, DMD, MSc, PhD, who has been studying how teeth provide important clues to his patients' overall health for more than 30 years. "It's important for oral health care providers to consider all options," he said. "I don't think it's enough just to look in a person's mouth, see a cavity and fill it. Other systemic health factors should also be considered – things like a patient's heredity and race, as well as their habits and lifestyle – so that we can treat the condition and also avoid recurrence." It's this broad way of thinking that has allowed Bassiouny to find other information about a patient's health just by looking into his or her mouth. Among other things, damage to a patient's teeth can tell a dentist about what their diet is like, if they use drugs (and what kind), if they have a mental disorder, or if they're under stress. Bassiouny says in this respect, dentists are on the front line when it comes to treating patients' overall well being.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081114202017.htm