BOSTON — Bacteria from chronic gum disease may play a role in hardening the heart's aortic valve, according to preliminary research presented Sunday at the American Heart Association's Basic Cardiovascular Sciences Scientific Sessions 2026. The findings suggest that treating periodontal disease could help prevent calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS), a common and serious heart valve condition for which no medication currently exists.
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. The standard treatment for severe CAVS is valve replacement surgery.
Researchers focused on Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), a bacterium known to cause gum inflammation and tissue destruction. The study measured bacterial levels in human cardiac valve tissue removed during valve replacement surgery, comparing samples from people with CAVS and those with other valve diseases. They found significantly higher levels of P. gingivalis in calcified aortic valves.
“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 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.”
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-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 P. gingivalis.
“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,” Li said.
Eduardo Sanchez, M.D., M.P.H., FAHA, chief medical officer for prevention for the American Heart Association, noted that this study adds to growing evidence connecting oral and heart health. “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,” he said.
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, a standard blood pressure screening and referral guide for patients in dental settings, and educational materials for patients.
The study has limitations as its findings have not been confirmed in people. The researchers have started a clinical study to further evaluate the link between gum disease and CAVS. The findings are considered preliminary until published as a full manuscript in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
