Most people think brushing and flossing are only important for protecting their teeth. However, scientists are finding that the health of our mouths may also influence other parts of the body, including the heart.
Gum disease is one of the most common long-term health problems.
It develops when bacteria build up around the teeth and gums, causing swelling, bleeding, and damage to the tissues that hold teeth in place.
If left untreated, the bacteria and inflammation may spread beyond the mouth. Over the past several years, studies have linked gum disease to heart disease, diabetes, and stroke, but researchers are still trying to understand exactly why these connections exist.
A new study has now uncovered another possible link. Researchers found evidence that a common gum disease bacterium may encourage calcium to build up inside the heart’s aortic valve.
The aortic valve controls blood flowing from the heart to the rest of the body. When calcium slowly collects inside this valve, it becomes stiff and narrow, making it harder for blood to pass through.
This condition is called calcific aortic valve stenosis. At first it may not cause symptoms, but over time people may develop chest pain, tiredness, shortness of breath, fainting, heart failure, and sometimes life-threatening complications. At present, there is no medicine that can stop the disease from progressing, and many patients eventually need valve replacement surgery.
The scientists focused on a bacterium called Porphyromonas gingivalis, one of the main causes of serious gum disease.
They examined heart valve tissue removed during surgery and found much higher amounts of this bacterium in valves affected by calcific aortic valve stenosis than in other diseased valves. This unexpected finding encouraged the team to investigate further.
They then carried out experiments in mice. Animals repeatedly exposed to live bacteria developed more calcium deposits in their aortic valves, and the bacteria were found inside the valve tissue.
The researchers also discovered that the bacteria switched on a powerful inflammation signal called interleukin-1 beta. When mice received antibiotics or when this inflammatory pathway was removed, the amount of valve damage and calcium buildup was greatly reduced. These findings suggest that long-term gum infection may contribute to heart valve disease by triggering ongoing inflammation inside the valve.
The researchers believe their work highlights another reason why good oral hygiene is so important. Treating gum disease early may one day become part of protecting heart health as well.
The research was presented at the American Heart Association Basic Cardiovascular Sciences Scientific Sessions 2026. Because it was presented at a scientific meeting, the findings are considered preliminary and have not yet gone through the full peer-review process of a journal publication. The researchers have already begun a clinical study to find out whether the same link exists in people.
Overall, this study provides an interesting new explanation for how poor oral health might contribute to heart valve disease. The experiments in mice and human tissue make the findings stronger, but they do not prove that gum disease directly causes calcific aortic valve stenosis in people.
More clinical research is needed before doctors can recommend new treatments based on these results. Even so, the study adds to growing evidence that keeping the mouth healthy may also help protect the heart.
Good brushing, flossing, regular dental check-ups, and early treatment of gum disease remain important steps for overall health.
If you care about tooth health, please read studies about an important causes of tooth decay and gum disease, and common tooth disease that may increase risks of dementia.
For more health information, please see recent studies about mouthwash that may increase your tooth damage, and results showing this diet could help treat gum disease.
