Gum disease bacteria may spur calcium buildup in the heart's aortic valve, leading to a common and serious heart valve disease, according to preliminary, independent research presented at the American Heart Association's Basic Cardiovascular Sciences Scientific Sessions 2026 in Boston on July 12. The meeting is one of the largest gatherings globally dedicated to fundamental and translational research in cardiovascular science.
According to the American Heart Association, calcific aortic valve stenosis 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 cases is valve replacement surgery.
The study identifies a potential biological pathway linking chronic oral gum disease and infection to calcific aortic valve stenosis. "There are currently no medications proven to prevent or slow the progression of CAVS. We hope our findings demonstrating the link between periodontal disease and CAVS will stimulate further research into new preventive and therapeutic approaches for this condition," said co-lead author Chenyang Li, M.D., Ph.D. candidate at Fuwai Hospital's National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases in Beijing.
Researchers focused on Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), a bacterium that plays an outsized role in causing gum inflammation and tissue destruction. P. gingivalis has also previously been associated with systemic inflammation and risk of cardiovascular diseases such as plaque buildup in arteries and coronary artery disease.
"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." Further experiments using mice found that repeated exposure to live P. gingivalis led to bacterial accumulation in aortic valves, increased calcification, and symptoms similar to human aortic stenosis; these effects were reduced by antibiotics or genetic deletion of an inflammatory protein called interleukin-1 beta (IL-1b).
"The key message is simple: take good care of your oral health," Li said. Eduardo Sanchez, M.D., chief medical officer for prevention at the American Heart Association, added: "This study adds to growing evidence that oral health and heart health are closely connected... Dental professionals [are] important partners in spotting health conditions... which can lead to quicker healthcare referrals." The American Heart Association's Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts initiative provides dental teams with education about links between oral health and cardiovascular health.
Researchers note that their findings have not yet been confirmed in people, but say they have started clinical studies evaluating this link.
