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The mouth speaks volumes when talking health
5th Dec 2008
heart, periodontal disease
US researchers say doctors can use a patient's oral health history to screen for a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
Experts at Columbia University Medical Center and New York-Presbyterian Hospital say patients with a history of periodontal disease were more likely to have increased levels of inflammation – a risk factor for heart disease.
The report, published online in the American Journal of Cardiology, said the group may not be detected by traditional cardiovascular risk screening.
John T Grbic, professor of clinical dental medicine at the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, said that many people do not realise how oral health is often a predictor of one's overall health and that symptoms for many life-threatening illnesses – such as diabetes and heart disease – first appear in the mouth.
He added: ‘For this reason, it's vitally important for people to have routine dental check-ups and have an ongoing dialogue with their dentist about their oral health.'
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