New research from the UK may have discovered an explanation for the link between gum disease and heart disease. It has been known for some time that there was a link, but it has been unclear until now what causes it.

Scientists from the University of Bristol and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, now believe that bacteria, most likely the Streptococcus bacteria which lives in the mouth, enters the bloodstream via sore gums and deposits a clot-forming protein, which increases the risk of heart attacks.

Speaking at the Society for General Microbiology’s autumn meeting in Nottingham, Professor Howard Jenkinson who led the research, explained that once the Streptococcus bacteria is in the bloodstream, it can use a protein on their surface, called PadA as a weapon to force platelets in the blood to bind together and form clots. “When the platelets clump together they completely encase the bacteria. This provides a protective cover not only from the immune system, but also from antibiotics that might be used to treat infection. Unfortunately, as well as helping out the bacteria, platelet clumping can cause small blood clots, growth on the heart valves, or inflammation of blood vessels that can block the blood supply to the heart and brain."