A new study has found that dentists may be able to help identify individuals at risk for a heart attack or stroke.

Researchers in Sweden studied 200 men and women over the age of 45 without any known cardiovascular problems. They were screened for heart disease risk factors during routine dental visits.

"These risk factors are not normally manifested in the mouth, which is why the dentists went beyond their normal check-up routine," said researcher Mats Jontell. "They also took the patients’ blood pressure and checked total cholesterol and blood sugar levels."

The risk of fatal cardiovascular disease was calculated using software known as HeartScore. With the screenings, researchers found that 12 of the subjects had a 10 percent risk of developing a fatal cardiovascular disease over the next 10 years and advised them to see their doctors. Six of these individuals were subsequently prescribed medication to lower their blood pressure.

Researchers involved with the study say their findings show that dentists may be able to help physicians identify those at risk for heart problems, even if they don’t see a regular doctor.