BOSTON - July 12, 2026 - Preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association’s Basic Cardiovascular Sciences Scientific Sessions 2026 suggests that bacteria from gum disease may cause inflammation and calcium buildup in the heart’s aortic valve, potentially leading to calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS), a common and serious heart valve disease. The study, conducted on mouse and human cardiac tissue, identifies a potential biological pathway linking chronic oral gum disease and infection to CAVS.
According to the American Heart Association, CAVS occurs when the aortic valve thickens and calcifies, restricting blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. In early stages, there may be no symptoms; however, as the condition progresses, it can cause fatigue, chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, heart failure, and sometimes premature death. Standard treatment for severe CAVS is valve replacement surgery. Currently, there is no medication available that can prevent or slow the progression of CAVS.
The researchers focused on the bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), which plays a disproportionately large role in causing gum inflammation and destruction of gum tissue. P. gingivalis has previously been associated with systemic inflammation and the risk of cardiovascular disease, including plaque buildup in the arteries and coronary artery disease.
“We were surprised by how much P. gingivalis was present in the calcified aortic valves,” said co-lead author Chenyang Li, M.D., a Ph.D. candidate in the department of cardiology at the State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease of Fuwai Hospital’s National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College in Beijing. “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. This unexpected finding led us to investigate its potential role in the development of CAVS.”
In the study, researchers measured different bacterial levels in human cardiac valve tissue removed during valve replacement surgery, comparing samples from people with CAVS and those with other valve diseases. Using mice, they explored how P. gingivalis might be linked to CAVS. Some mice received live or heat-inactivated P. gingivalis, and some received antibiotics. In others, the IL-1β inflammatory pathway was genetically disabled. The results showed that repeated exposure to live P. gingivalis led to accumulation of bacteria in aortic valves, increased valve calcification, and symptoms of aortic stenosis, while preventive antibiotic treatment reduced these effects. In mouse valve cells, P. gingivalis 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 are important for overall health and may also have benefits for cardiovascular health.” The study suggests that treating gum disease might help prevent the most common form of heart valve disease, though further research is needed. The researchers have started a clinical study to further evaluate the link between gum disease and CAVS.
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 the connection between oral health and heart health, including a standard blood pressure screening and referral guide for patients in dental settings.
The study findings are considered preliminary until published as a full manuscript in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, as the abstract presented at the American Heart Association’s scientific meetings is not peer-reviewed. Nevertheless, the research underscores the importance of oral health in overall cardiovascular health.
