From Mouth To Heart: How Oral Bacteria May Secretly Trigger Heart Attacks

Last Updated:September 15, 2025, 17:47 IST

The mouth–heart connection is real. Oral bacteria can fuel plaque rupture in arteries, raising heart attack risk. Prevention starts with oral care.

Regular dental care is crucial for heart disease prevention.

A growing body of research is drawing new attention to the mouth–heart connection. While brushing and flossing are often seen as just cosmetic routines, a recent study from Tampere University in Finland highlights how oral bacteria may play a far more dangerous role – contributing to heart attacks. Researchers discovered bacterial DNA lodged inside coronary plaques, reframing the way we look at both oral hygiene and cardiac prevention.

From the Mouth to the Heart

“It is a well-established finding that oral bacterial infections, particularly associated with Streptococcus bacteria, are known to cause rheumatic fever, leading to endocarditis or, in rare cases, myocarditis. What’s new here is evidence that this bacterium can lodge inside coronary plaques and help ignite the inflammatory sparks that rupture them, turning a dental problem into a heart attack trigger,” explains Dr Sameer Pagad, Director – Intervention Cardiology, Nanavati Max Hospital, Mumbai.

He adds that prevention must expand beyond cholesterol and blood pressure control to include regular dental care, with the potential for future therapies targeting bacterial biofilms in plaques.

Biofilms That the Body Can’t Fight

The study further underscores how bacteria can act silently in the arteries. “Researchers have discovered that bacteria from the mouth can travel to the arteries of the heart and hide deep within fatty plaques. These oral bacteria form biofilms, which cannot be eliminated by the immune system. Once inflamed, they rupture the arterial plaque and obstruct blood flow to the heart, resulting in a heart attack. The conclusion is clear: good oral hygiene will not only benefit one’s teeth and gums, but also help maintain heart health,” says Dr Rajiv Bhagwat, Sr Consultant Cardiologist, Breach Candy Hospital, Mumbai.

Beyond Traditional Risk Factors

For years, doctors have emphasised diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension and obesity as the leading risk factors for heart disease. But the findings expand that picture. “This study shows that oral bacteria may directly accelerate artery blockages,” notes Dr Ahamed Shafeeq H, Consultant – Cardiology, Iswarya Hospital, OMR, Chennai.

“Chronic low-grade inflammation from periodontal disease can drive plaque growth, impair vessel lining, and raise the risk of rupture. Attention is now shifting toward non-traditional risk factors such as chronic stress, poor sleep, and poor oral hygiene,” he adds.

The link between oral health and heart disease is no longer just theoretical. As evidence mounts, the message is simple: brushing twice daily, early treatment of gum disease, and regular dental visits may not just save your smile, they could also protect your heart.

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Author: News18