Miyoshi N, et al. - By measuring salivary lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and serum high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in a community-based middle-aged and elderly population in Japan, experts sought to verify the usefulness of salivary LDH as a biomarker of periodontitis. They also gauged the association of severity of periodontitis with systemic inflammation. For the mass screening of periodontitis in local community health settings, salivary LDH appears to be a promising biomarker. Particularly in overweight individuals, high salivary LDH levels might contribute to the prevention of cardiovascular disease, through measuring systemic inflammatory burdens along with traditional cardiovascular risk factors.