Taking care of your teeth isn’t just about having a bright smile—it might also protect your heart. Researchers in Japan, from Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), have discovered a connection between oral health and heart health.
Their study, published in the International Journal of Oral Science, suggests that a common mouth bacterium could interfere with the heart’s ability to recover after a heart attack.
What Happens During a Heart Attack
A heart attack occurs when the coronary arteries, which supply oxygen and nutrients to the heart, become blocked. This blockage cuts off the heart’s fuel, causing damage to heart muscle cells, or cardiac myocytes. To limit the harm, these cells use a process called autophagy. This process helps remove damaged parts of the cell, ensuring the heart can function properly.
The Role of a Harmful Oral Bacterium
The study focused on a bacterium called Porphyromonas gingivalis, a common cause of gum disease. Previous research had found this bacterium near the site of heart attacks caused by blocked arteries. However, it wasn’t clear how it might contribute to heart damage.
The research team, led by Yuka Shiheido-Watanabe, explored this question by modifying Porphyromonas gingivalis. They created a version of the bacterium that lacked gingipain, a harmful enzyme it produces. Gingipain is known to interfere with the body’s natural responses to cell injury.
Key Findings
When the researchers infected heart muscle cells with the modified bacterium, the cells survived better than those infected with the regular version of Porphyromonas gingivalis. Similarly, mice infected with the regular bacterium experienced more severe heart damage compared to those infected with the modified version.
Further investigation revealed that gingipain disrupts a key step in autophagy. It blocks the fusion of two cell components, autophagosomes and lysosomes, which work together to clear out damaged materials.
Without this process, the damaged materials build up, causing heart cells to grow abnormally, malfunction, and even die. In some cases, this leads to cardiac rupture, a potentially fatal complication.
What This Means for Your Heart
The study highlights how oral infections, especially those involving Porphyromonas gingivalis, can worsen heart health. Gingipain, the enzyme produced by this bacterium, prevents the heart from healing properly after a heart attack. This can increase the risk of severe damage and complications.
Taking Action for Better Health
The findings underscore the importance of oral health in maintaining overall well-being. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups can help prevent gum disease and infections caused by Porphyromonas gingivalis. Addressing these infections could reduce the risk of heart damage, particularly in people recovering from heart attacks.
Looking ahead, researchers hope to explore whether targeting gingipain or similar bacterial enzymes could lead to new treatments for heart disease. By understanding the connection between oral health and the heart, they aim to find better ways to protect people from life-threatening complications.
This research serves as a reminder that small daily habits, like caring for your teeth and gums, can have a big impact on your heart health and overall well-being. The findings were published in the International Journal of Oral Science.
If you care about heart disease, please read studies that herbal supplements could harm your heart rhythm, and how eating eggs can help reduce heart disease risk.
For more health information, please see recent studies that apple juice could benefit your heart health, and results showing yogurt may help lower the death risks in heart disease.
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