Bacteria from gum disease may spur calcium buildup in the heart's aortic valve, leading to a common and serious heart valve disease, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Basic Cardiovascular Sciences Scientific Sessions 2026. The study, conducted on mouse and human cardiac tissue, found a potential link between periodontitis and calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS), a condition where the aortic valve thickens and calcifies, restricting blood flow.
Currently, there is no medication to prevent or slow CAVS progression, and standard treatment for severe cases is valve replacement surgery. The research identifies a biological pathway connecting chronic oral gum disease to CAVS. Researchers focused on the bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), which plays a major role in gum inflammation and has been previously associated with systemic inflammation and cardiovascular disease.
Co-lead author Chenyang Li, M.D., a Ph.D. candidate at Fuwai Hospital in Beijing, noted, “We were surprised by how much P. gingivalis was present in the calcified aortic valves.” In human cardiac valve tissue removed during surgery, P. gingivalis was significantly more abundant in CAVS patients compared to those with other valve diseases.
In mouse experiments, repeated exposure to live P. gingivalis led to bacterial accumulation in aortic valves, increased calcification, and symptoms of aortic stenosis. Preventive antibiotic treatment reduced these effects. The bacteria activated interleukin-1 beta (IL-1b), an inflammation-spurring protein. When IL-1b was genetically deleted in mice, calcification and valve symptoms were significantly reduced even in the presence of P. gingivalis.
“The key message is simple: take good care of your oral health,” Li said. Good oral hygiene and treatment of periodontal disease may have benefits for cardiovascular health. Eduardo Sanchez, M.D., M.P.H., FAHA, chief medical officer for prevention for the American Heart Association, added, “This study adds to the growing evidence that oral health and heart health are closely connected.”
The American Heart Association's Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts™ initiative provides dental care teams with professional education on the oral-health connection. The study has limitations as findings have not been confirmed in people, but researchers have started a clinical study to further evaluate the link. The abstract was presented at the American Heart Association’s Basic Cardiovascular Sciences Scientific Sessions 2026, held in Boston from July 13-16, 2026.
