New research shows that the gum disease bacterium P. gingivalis can slip into the bloodstream and infiltrate the heart. There, it quietly drives scar tissue buildup -- distorting the heart's architecture, disrupting electrical signals, and raising the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib).
Although most individuals don't associate oral disease with serious health issues, growing evidence suggests that oral bacteria play an important role in systemic disorders such as colon cancer and heart disease. New Forsyth Institute research suggests a relationship between periodontal (gum
The many gingival fibres that connect the tooth to the gingiva, the tissue region that surrounds our teeth, allow healthy teeth to firmly rest in the gums. Fibroblasts, which are cells that help connective tissue form, are found in the gingiva. Researchers from Tohoku University have shown t