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Gum disease bacteria can reach the heart, causing damage that raises AFib risk. Good oral hygiene may help protect heart health. Tempted to skip flossing? It might not be worth the risk. A new study from Hiroshima University (HU) has found that the gum disease bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) can enter the bloodstream and reach the heart. Once there, it contributes to the buildup of scar tissue, known as fibrosis, which distorts the heart's structure, disrupts electrical signals, and increases the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib).