Tokyo, May 10 -- 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).

Clinicians have long noticed that people with periodontitis, a common form of gum disease, seem more prone to cardiovascular problems.

One recent meta-analysis has linked it to a 30% higher risk of developing AFib, a potentially serious heart rhythm disorder that can lead to stroke, heart failure, and other life-threatening complications.

Globally, AFib cases nearly doubled in under a decade, rising from 33.5 million in 2010 to roughly ...