Our Smile & Mouth ‘Connect’ Us.

The mouth is a gateway to the body and is connected to physical, mental, emotional, and social wellbeing. If we consider that almost all that enters our body is given entry through the mouth,  from food, medicines to smoking, and the consumption of alcohol, it all enters through this one entry point.

Our mouth delivers a variety of functions that support daily living such as eating, speaking and appearance. It is also a key connecting tool to social wellbeing and is an organ of communication that conveys a range of emotions including the smile which connects us as human beings.

“A smile speaks a thousand languages and encompasses diversity, love and belonging and connects us without a need for words.”

The mouth is both an entry and exit point for the body. It is a gateway to how we connect as human beings. We speak, we laugh, we cry, we shout, we sing, we express ourselves and our thoughts and feelings – the mouth connects us. Connection should also be considered in the same category of risk factors such as smoking, diet and exercise. Connection underpins our overall wellbeing and is a basic human need throughout our life course, from cradle to grave. Social connection is the experience of feeling close and connected to others. This involves feeling loved , cared for, valued, and forms the basis of interpersonal relationships. Human connection is when two or more people chose to engage in vulnerable interactions where each person is heard , seen, known and valued. You are connecting with others if you feel better about yourself or the world after you have been with them.

Human connection is the energy that exists between people when they feel they are seen, heard, and valued. It is crucial to every individual to understand, that connection underpins everything from wellness to overall health. As human beings we are one of the most social of species and connection is one of the most essential basic human needs after food, water and shelter. Lack of connection as experienced through loneliness and isolation has been linked to general inflammation in the body, accelerated ageing, cardiovascular health risk, suicide and early mortality. Our mouths are life giving in all aspects of our living and therefore must be protected and maintained across our life course.