• Japanese researchers discovered bacteria from gum infections can travel through the bloodstream to heart tissue, potentially causing dangerous irregular heartbeats.
• The bacterium P. gingivalis can escape from infected gums to the left atrium of the heart, causing scarring that increases the risk of atrial fibrillation linked to stroke and heart failure.
• Study of 68 patients with AFib found those with severe gum disease had higher levels of P. gingivalis in their heart tissue, corresponding with increased scarring.
• Experiments on mice showed that P. gingivalis infection led to a sixfold increase in abnormal heart rhythms compared to uninfected mice.
• Regular oral hygiene including twice-daily cleaning, flossing, and dental checkups can prevent and even reverse gum disease, potentially protecting both oral and cardiovascular health.

A silent killer may be lurking in your gums, according to a new study. Japanese researchers have discovered that bacteria responsible for common gum infections can travel through the bloodstream and directly invade heart tissue, potentially triggering dangerous irregular heartbeats.

The groundbreaking study, published in the journal Circulation, found that Porphyromonas gingivalis, a bacterium known to cause gum disease, can escape from infected gums and make its way to the left atrium of the heart. Once there, these oral invaders cause scarring of heart tissue, increasing the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib), irregular heartbeats linked to higher stroke and heart failure risks.

Researchers from Hiroshima University examined heart tissue from 68 patients with AFib who had undergone heart surgery. They discovered that patients with severe gum disease had significantly higher levels of P. gingivalis bacteria in their heart tissue, which corresponded with increased heart scarring.

“The causal relationship between periodontitis and atrial fibrillation is still unknown, but the spread of periodontal bacteria through the bloodstream may connect these conditions,” said study first author Shunsuke Miyauchi in a statement.

From mouth to heart

To confirm their findings, the research team created an experimental model using mice. When infected with P. gingivalis, the mice developed increased heart tissue scarring and were six times more likely to develop abnormal heart rhythms compared to uninfected mice.

The longer the infection persisted, the worse the outcomes became. After 18 weeks, 30% of infected mice developed atrial fibrillation when their hearts were electrically stimulated, compared to just 5% of uninfected mice.

Miyauchi explained that P. gingivalis “invades the circulatory system via the periodontal lesions and further translocates to the left atrium,” noting that the bacterial presence directly correlated with the severity of periodontitis. Once established in the atrium, the bacteria “exacerbates atrial fibrosis, which results in higher AFib inducibility.”

These findings provide a potential explanation for something cardiologists and dentists have observed for years: people with gum disease have higher rates of heart problems. A recent meta-analysis linked gum disease to a 30% higher chance of developing AFib.

Warning signs and natural prevention

Any bleeding in the gums indicates gingivitis, according to dentist Dr. Jessica Pharar. “If you see bright red angry-looking gums, that is a good indication you are progressing more severe gingivitis,” she told The Epoch Times.

The severity of gum inflammation, not just the size of gum pockets, was strongly associated with bacterial invasion of heart tissue. This suggests that active inflammation creates opportunities for bacteria to escape into the bloodstream.

The good news? Natural approaches can effectively prevent and even reverse gum disease.

“Cleaning your mouth twice a day is imperative. Regular check ups at the dentist are essential to protect your overall dental health,” Pharar advised.

Dr. Sandip Sachar, a dentist in New York City, emphasized that gum disease remains “an important public health problem in the United States as 2 in 5 adults are affected by some form of this disease.” He recommended regular brushing, flossing, and professional dental cleanings.

The implications extend beyond heart health. Research has linked chronic gum infections to diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, certain cancers, and even joint replacement infections.

As researchers continue investigating the specific mechanisms by which P. gingivalis affects heart cells, this study highlights an often-overlooked connection between oral and cardiovascular health. Simple daily habits like proper brushing and flossing may be powerful natural defenses against serious heart conditions, proving that protecting your smile could also be saving your heart.

Sources for this article include:

TheEpochTimes.com

StudyFinds.org

News-Medical.net