03/18/2026
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association (2025) revealed that DNA from oral bacteria, particularly Viridans streptococci, was present in nearly 50% of examined coronary artery plaques. The bacteria were organized in biofilms — dense, protective communities that resist the immune system and persist over time. Researchers suggest that disturbances in these biofilms may trigger inflammation and plaque rupture, critical events that can lead to heart attacks.
This discovery strengthens the connection between oral health and cardiovascular disease. Poor dental hygiene and untreated gum infections may allow oral microbes to enter the bloodstream, infiltrate arteries, and contribute to systemic inflammation.
Maintaining healthy teeth and gums is more than cosmetic; it could be a crucial step in preventing heart disease.
** Karhunen PJ, Pessi T, Karhunen V, et al., Journal of the American Heart Association, 2025
