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 calcific aortic valve disease (CAVS). Researchers found that this disease can make it harder for the heart to pump blood to the body, leading to serious consequences such as chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, heart failure, and even premature death in some patients. Currently, the standard treatment for advanced patients is heart valve replacement surgery. The research team, led by Dr. Chenyang Li, analyzed tissues from patients who underwent heart valve replacement surgery and found that the bacterium was present in significant amounts in the calcified valves. Dr. Chenyang Li said, "The presence of this bacterium in calcified aortic valves was surprising. This unexpected finding led us to investigate the possible role of the bacterium in the development of the disease."