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Posted on Sep 30, 2002, 6 a.m.
By Bill Freeman
Taking a trip to the dentist may reveal more about your health than the state of your teeth. Researchers are recommending that people get their doctor to check dental x-rays for calcification in the carotid arteries, which are known to increase a person's risk of stroke. The study of women aged 55 and above found that 31% had evidence of calcification in their carotid arteries, and thus a significantly increased risk of stroke.
Taking a trip to the dentist may reveal more about your health than the state of your teeth. Researchers are recommending that people get their doctor to check dental x-rays for calcification in the carotid arteries, which are known to increase a person's risk of stroke. The study of women aged 55 and above found that 31% had evidence of calcification in their carotid arteries, and thus a significantly increased risk of stroke. Such findings support previous study results that have also found dental X-rays to be useful in predicting stroke risk. People found to be at risk can then be advised of strategies for reducing their risk, for example losing weight, stopping smoking, and lowering cholesterol-levels.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Journal of the American Dental Association 2001; 132:1130-1136
