Gum Disease Bacteria Carry Heart Risks, May Trigger Atrial Fibrillation

Japanese researchers have found direct evidence that oral bacteria can enter the bloodstream and cause changes to heart tissue.

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That nagging bleeding when you brush your teeth may not be just a dental problem—it could be endangering your heart.

A new study suggests that the bacterium responsible for gingivitis may slip from infected gums into the bloodstream and infiltrate heart tissue, to increase the risk of irregular heart beats.

Irregular heart beats are linked to increased risks of strokes and heart failure.

How Gum Disease Attacks Your Heart

The findings, recently published in the journal Circulation, suggest that bacteria called P. gingivalis, known to cause gum infections, can also slip into the bloodstream to reach the heart and cause heart scarring, which increases the risk of irregular heartbeats, also called atrial fibrillation (AFib).

Researchers examined heart tissue from 68 patients with AFib who had undergone heart surgery and found many of these patients had P. gingivalis in the left atrium of their heart, particularly in the hearts of those with severe gum disease.

They also infected mice with P. gingivalis and subsequently found the bacteria inside their hearts as well. These mice were also six times more likely to develop abnormal heart rhythms, such as AFib, compared with mice that were not infected.

Researchers pointed out that this study is the first showing clear evidence that P. gingivalis can enter the heart by bacteria leaving the mouth to enter the bloodstream. 

“The causal relationship between periodontitis and atrial fibrillation is still unknown, but the spread of periodontal bacteria through the bloodstream may connect these conditions,” study first author Shunsuke Miyauchi said in a statement, emphasizing that it’s likely the adverse effects are caused by inflammation.

P. gingivalis enters the bloodstream via “periodontal lesions and further translocates to the left atrium [of the heart],” Miyauchi added, noting that the more severe the periodontitis, the more bacteria researchers found in the heart.

Once in the atrium, P. gingivalis can cause scar tissue formation in the heart, which increases the Afib risk, Miyauchi said. Therefore, he noted, periodontal treatment, which can block “the gateway of P. gingivalis translocation,” may play an important role in AFib prevention and treatment.

When the immune system fights gum infections, it releases chemicals that can leak into the blood and cause inflammation all over the body, harming organs, including the heart. Harmful bacteria such as P. gingivalis have been found in heart tissue, valves, and fatty plaques in arteries.

Any bleeding in the gums is an indication of gingivitis, Dr. Jessica Pharar, a dentist and owner of Drs. Chin and Pharar Dentistry in Las Vegas, told The Epoch Times. “If you see bright-red, angry-looking gums, that is a good indication you are progressing [to] more severe gingivitis,” she added.

“Patients who have other health issues, especially inflammatory diseases, are more prone to gingivitis,” Pharar said. “Cleaning your mouth twice a day is imperative. Regular check-ups at the dentist are essential to protect your overall dental health.”

The Wider Impact of Gum Disease

The researchers noted that doctors have noticed for years that people with gum disease frequently have more heart problems and noted that a recent meta-analysis linked gum disease to a 30 percent higher chance of developing AFib. Globally, cases of AFib have nearly doubled from 33.5 million in 2010 to about 60 million in 2019, and gum disease might be contributing to this increase.

“The prevalence of gum disease continues to be an important public health problem in the United States as 2 in 5 adults are affected by some form of this disease,” Dr. Sandip Sachar, a dentist in New York City, told The Epoch Times. Untreated gum disease can affect overall health beyond just the heart. Pharar cautioned that wherever gingivitis bacteria settles, it can cause problems.

Research has consistently linked chronic gum infections to a variety of systemic health conditions, including the following.

Diabetes

“Gum disease and diabetes seem to have a bidirectional relationship,” Sachar said. “Poor blood sugar control worsens gum disease, and untreated gum disease can increase blood sugar, complicating the overall management of diabetes.”

Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Studies have shown a link between moderate or severe gum disease and an increased risk of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. This is primarily due to systemic inflammation and the spread of infection. The inflammatory processes in gum disease can lead to inflammation throughout the body, including the brain, potentially damaging brain cells.

Other Conditions

Some studies have linked gum disease to an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer, such as stomach, esophageal, colorectal, lung, and pancreatic cancers.

“Gum disease has also been linked to rheumatoid arthritis, respiratory problems, liver disease, and adverse pregnancy outcomes,” Sachar said. “Untreated gum disease has been associated with preterm birth and low birth weight. Inflammatory responses in the mouth can potentially affect fetal development.”

“Patients who get a joint replacement can infect their new joint if they don’t have good dental health,” Pharar said.

However, Sachar added, the condition can be prevented, treated, and even reversed by “getting professional dental cleanings by a dentist at least twice a year, and maintaining gum health with brushing twice a day, and flossing daily.”