Can Gum Disease Increase the Risk of Heart Valve Disease?
A new study has found that bacteria that cause gum disease may not only affect oral health but also heart valves. According to research presented at the American Heart Association's 2026 Basic Cardiovascular Sciences Scientific Sessions, the bacterium 'Porphyromonas gingivalis', which causes gum disease, may contribute to calcification of the aortic valve and eventually to…