Oral health history used in heart screens

NEW YORK, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers say doctors can use a patient's oral health history to screen for a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

Researchers from Columbia University Medical Center and New York-Presbyterian Hospital said 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 might not be detected by traditional cardiovascular risk screening.

"Many people don't realize how oral health is often a predictor of one's overall health," John T. Grbic, professor of clinical dental medicine at the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, said in a statement. "Symptoms for many life-threatening illnesses, such as diabetes and heart disease, first appear in the mouth."