The bacteria that cause periodontal disease do more than just damage your teeth. New preliminary research suggests they may also contribute to calcium buildup in the heart’s aortic valve, causing calcific aortic stenosis (CAVS), a common and potentially life-threatening heart valve disease.
The study results were presented at the American Heart Association’s 2026 Basic Cardiovascular Science Session, held July 13-16 in Boston. This conference is one of the world’s largest gatherings focused on basic and translational cardiovascular research.
According to the American Heart Association, CAVS develops when the aortic valve gradually thickens and becomes calcified, making it difficult for blood to flow from the heart to other parts of the body. This condition often has no symptoms at first. However, if it worsens, it can cause fatigue, chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, heart failure, and even early death. Valve replacement surgery is now the standard treatment for people with serious illnesses.
New research points to a possible biological mechanism linking chronic periodontal disease and infection to the development of CAVS.
“Currently, no drugs have been shown to prevent or slow the progression of CAVS. We hope that our findings demonstrating an association between periodontal disease and CAVS will encourage further research into new prevention and treatment approaches to this disease,” said Chengyang Li, MD, Ph.D., co-lead author of the study. candidate in the Department of Cardiology, National Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, National Cardiovascular Disease Center, Fuwei Hospital, Beijing, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College.
Researchers focus on common periodontal disease bacteria
The team focused on Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), a bacteria known to play a major role in periodontal disease by causing gingival inflammation and destruction of gingival tissue. Past research is also linked. P. gingivalis Widespread inflammation occurs throughout the body, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease such as arterial plaque buildup and coronary artery disease.
To investigate this link, researchers analyzed bacterial levels in heart valve tissue taken from people who underwent valve replacement surgery. They compared the calcified aortic valves of CAVS patients with valve tissue from patients with other heart valve diseases.
“We were surprised by the amount P. gingivalis “This bacterium was present in calcified aortic valves. Although it was not one of the most abundant bacteria overall, it showed one of the most significant differences between valves with and without CAVS,” Li said. This unexpected finding led us to investigate its potential role in the development of CAVS. ”
Mouse research reveals possible disease mechanism
The researchers then turned to mouse experiments to better understand how this bacterium contributes to valvular heart disease. Mice exposed to live or inactivated heat P. gingivalis This is to determine if bacteria has accumulated in the aortic valve, causing increased calcium deposits and symptoms consistent with aortic stenosis. Some animals received prophylactic antibiotics, while others had the IL-1β inflammatory pathway genetically ablated.
repeated live exposure P. gingivalis Bacteria accumulated in the aortic valves of the mice, leading to further valve calcification and symptoms of aortic stenosis. Prophylactic antibiotic treatment attenuated these effects. The researchers also P. gingivalis Activated interleukin-1 beta (IL-1b), a pro-inflammatory protein produced primarily by immune cells.
Additional experiments showed that genetically deleting IL-1b P. gingivalis It existed.
Good oral health may benefit your heart
“The key message is simple: Take care of your oral health,” Lee said. “Good oral hygiene and treatment of periodontal disease are important for overall health and may also benefit cardiovascular health. Although it is still too early to recommend specific treatments to prevent CAVS, our findings suggest that periodontal health may be an important piece of the puzzle.”
Eduardo Sanchez, MD, MPH, FAHA, chief medical officer for prevention at the American Heart Association, said the study results add to the growing body of evidence that oral health and heart health are closely linked.
“This study adds to the growing body of evidence that oral health and heart health are closely linked,” said Eduardo Sanchez, MD, MPH, FAHA, chief medical officer for prevention at the American Heart Association. “For many people, regular visits to the dentist are their only connection to the health care system, which makes dental professionals an important partner in early detection of health conditions, including periodontal disease. This can lead to faster referrals and results, which can lead to better health outcomes and lives.”
The American Heart Association’s Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts™ initiative supports dental professionals with educational resources about the relationship between oral and cardiovascular health. The program also includes blood pressure screening guidance for dental practices and patient education materials designed to improve both oral health and heart health.
Initial discoveries require human confirmation
The researchers emphasize that these results are preliminary and have not yet been confirmed in humans. This study was presented as an abstract at a scientific conference. That is, it has not yet been peer-reviewed or published as a full journal article.
To further investigate the possible relationship between periodontal disease and CAVS, the research team has already begun clinical studies in humans.
Research highlights
- Laboratory studies using human heart valve tissue and mice have found a potential link between periodontal disease (gum disease) and calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS).
- researchers identified Porphyromonas gingivalis It is thought that it may cause inflammation and calcium buildup in the aortic valve.
- Currently, there are no drugs that can prevent or slow the progression of CAVS, making this discovery a potential avenue for future research.
- The findings suggest that treating periodontal disease and reducing gingival inflammation may ultimately be part of a strategy to help prevent the most common heart valve disease.
- The study was presented as an abstract at a scientific conference, so the findings are preliminary and await confirmation by peer-reviewed publications and human clinical studies.
