Bacteria commonly associated with gum disease may play a direct role in causing calcium buildup in the heart's aortic valve, leading to a serious condition known as calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS), according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association’s Basic Cardiovascular Sciences Scientific Sessions 2026 in Boston.
The study, conducted by researchers at the State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease of Fuwai Hospital in Beijing, focused on the bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis, a key driver of chronic gum inflammation. The team found that this bacterium was significantly more abundant in calcified aortic valves removed from patients with CAVS compared to those with other valve diseases.
“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. “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 experiments with mice, repeated exposure to live P. gingivalis led to accumulation of the bacteria in aortic valves, increased calcification, and symptoms of aortic stenosis. Preventive antibiotic treatment reduced these effects. The researchers also identified a key inflammatory pathway: the bacteria activated interleukin-1 beta (IL-1b), an inflammation-spurring protein. When the IL-1b gene was deleted in mice, calcification and valve symptoms were significantly reduced even in the presence of P. gingivalis.
Currently, no medications can prevent or slow the progression of CAVS, which occurs when the aortic valve thickens and calcifies, restricting blood flow. The condition can lead to fatigue, chest pain, shortness of breath, heart failure, and premature death. Standard treatment for severe cases is valve replacement surgery.
“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,” Li said.
The American Heart Association’s chief medical officer for prevention, Eduardo Sanchez, M.D., M.P.H., FAHA, emphasized the broader implications: “This study adds to the growing evidence that oral health and heart health are closely connected. For many people, regular visits to the dentist are their only connection to the healthcare system. That makes dental professionals important partners in spotting health conditions, including periodontal disease early.”
The Association’s Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts™ initiative provides education to dental care teams on the link between oral health and heart health, including blood pressure screening guidelines.
Li offered a simple takeaway: “The key message is simple: take good care of your oral health. Good oral hygiene and treatment of periodontal disease are important for overall health and may also have benefits for cardiovascular health.”
The findings are considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal. The researchers have started a clinical study to further evaluate the link between gum disease and CAVS.
