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.
Gum Disease Bacteria Carry Heart Risks, May Trigger Atrial Fibrillation
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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.

George Citroner
George Citroner
Author
George Citroner reports on health and medicine, covering topics that include cancer, infectious diseases, and neurodegenerative conditions. He was awarded the Media Orthopaedic Reporting Excellence (MORE) award in 2020 for a story on osteoporosis risk in men.