Summary : The mouth is the entry point for food and the beginning of the gastrointestinal tract. The ability to chew and swallow is the critical function required to obtain essential nutrients for the body - the building blocks of good health. The links between oral health and nutrition are many. Thus, oral health plays an integral role in assuring adequate nutritional status. Interestingly, oral health and nutrition share an interdependent and sometimes antagonistic relationship. By promoting healthy development and maintenance of the mouth's tissues and natural protective mechanisms, good nutrition promotes good oral health. In contrast, certain foods can cause plaque development increasing the risk for oral disease. How the foods are eaten can stimulate saliva flow, reducing the risk. The interactions are complex, with food and nutrition having the potential for both positive and negative effects on oral health. In addition, the mouth serves as a window for the skilled dental practitioner to view overall health status. The regular dental examination makes it possible for your dentist to check for gum disease as well as precancerous or cancerous lesions. More sophisticated screening mechanisms can produce early warnings of stroke by displaying calcifications in the corotid artery, or chemotheraphy-induced weakening of the jaw. Taking care the mouth is an important step on the road to good health. Good eating habits, regular brushing, flossing and fluoride are all part of maintaining good health.