“Tongue sores are a warning from your body”... ‘Three Perspectives’ explores how oral health impacts systemic wellness

SBS's health entertainment program 'Three Perspectives' will examine how minor oral symptoms can serve as early warning signs for diseases that threaten systemic health, featuring insights from various medical experts.

In the episode of SBS 'Three Perspectives' airing at 8:35 AM on the 2nd, MC Kim Suk-hoon and So Seul-ji will join science writer Kwak Jaesik, docent Lee Chang-yong, periodontist Lim Se-woong, and internist Kang Sue-jin to conduct an in-depth look at maintaining a healthy oral environment and its impact on the entire body.

Commonly known as 'tongue sores' (glossitis), the stinging sensation or pain experienced when eating after periods of fatigue or stress are often dismissed as minor symptoms. However, the program highlights the importance of oral hygiene, noting that these changes may not just be a result of simple exhaustion but could be critical signals sent by the body.

The broadcast will also feature historical cases. Docent Lee Chang-yong is set to surprise the studio by sharing the tragic story of a 16-year-old girl working in a 19th-century match factory, who required jaw resection surgery after long-term exposure to toxic substances. He explains that these toxins were even more fatal to those with cavities, demonstrating how poor oral health can escalate simple dental issues into life-threatening conditions.

The program specifically covers how oral bacteria affect systemic health. When wounds exist in the mouth, bacteria in the saliva can penetrate the bloodstream and spread throughout the body. While even those with good oral health swallow approximately 3.62 million bacteria with each swallow, the cast will be astonished to learn that poor oral hygiene can result in up to 189 million bacteria per 1mL of saliva.

Internist Kang Sue-jin emphasizes that brushing alone is insufficient for oral health. "Even if you brush three times a day for 3 minutes each, the actual brushing time is only 9 minutes a day," she explains. "For the remaining 23 hours and 51 minutes, the oral environment is once again subject to the influence of bacteria." She advises that because bacteria concentrate in the narrow gaps between teeth and gums, one must meticulously clean areas that are not visible to the naked eye.

Periodontist Lim Se-woong also discusses the link between oral health and cancer. He explains that oral bacteria can produce metabolites that trigger malignancy, noting that the risk of oral cancer in patients with periodontitis is approximately 3.7 times higher than in the general population. He emphasizes the critical importance of early diagnosis, noting that while the 5-year survival rate for oral cancer reaches 80–90% if detected early, it can drop to about half if detection is delayed.

Experts agree that neglecting even minor changes in the mouth is dangerous. Because oral cancer can rapidly metastasize to the lungs, bones, and liver, maintaining a healthy oral environment and identifying abnormal symptoms early is vital.

Episode 54 of SBS 'Three Perspectives' will air on the 2nd at 8:35 AM.