New research suggests that bacteria from gum disease may spur calcium accumulation in the heart's aortic valve, potentially leading to a common and serious heart valve condition. The preliminary study, presented at the American Heart Association’s Basic Cardiovascular Sciences Scientific Sessions 2026 in Boston, highlights a possible biological pathway connecting chronic oral infection to calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS).
CAVS occurs when the aortic valve thickens and calcifies, restricting blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. In early stages, it may be asymptomatic, but as it progresses, it can cause fatigue, chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, heart failure, and sometimes premature death. Currently, no medications can prevent or slow its progression; severe cases require valve replacement surgery.
The study, led by Chenyang Li, M.D., a Ph.D. candidate at Fuwai Hospital in Beijing, focused on Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), a bacterium that plays a major role in gum inflammation and tissue destruction. This pathogen has previously been associated with systemic inflammation and cardiovascular disease, including atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease.
Researchers measured bacterial levels in human cardiac valve tissue removed during valve replacement surgery, comparing samples from patients with CAVS and those with other valve diseases. They found a significantly higher presence of P. gingivalis in calcified aortic valves. “We were surprised by how much P. gingivalis was present in the calcified aortic valves,” Li said. “Although it was not one of the most abundant bacteria overall, it showed one of the largest differences between valves with CAVS and valves without CAVS.”
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 study also revealed that P. gingivalis activated interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), an inflammation-spurring protein. When researchers genetically deleted IL-1β in mice, calcification and valve symptoms were significantly reduced even in the presence of the bacteria.
“The key message is simple: take good care of your oral health,” Li said. “Good oral hygiene and treatment of periodontal disease are important for overall health and may also 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 highlighting this connection. The study has limitations as findings have not been confirmed in humans, but researchers have begun a clinical study to further evaluate the link between gum disease and CAVS.
