As diabetes cases surge 40 per cent in a decade, and one in ten of us will soon have the disease, experts discover a shocking risk factor doctors have missed

Failing to regularly brush your teeth increases the risk of developing diabetes, experts claim.

Research suggests that the condition – where the body struggles to regulate blood sugar levels – can be triggered by gum disease, which is thought to affect about four in ten of the population.

Gum disease, also known as gingivitis or periodontitis, is caused by poor oral hygiene, usually due to a lack of tooth brushing. Bacteria-filled plaque builds up around the teeth, leading to inflammation and painful infections.

And, concerningly, studies show that it is on the rise in the UK, largely due to a critical lack of NHS dentists.

In the past it was thought that diabetes raised the risk of gum disease. This is because the condition impacts the immune system’s ability to remove bacteria from the mouth. However, it now appears that gum disease could be a trigger for the blood sugar condition too. Studies show that people with gum disease are more than 25 per cent likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those without it.

Experts say this is because bacteria in the mouth could be raising blood sugar levels.

Speaking to The Mail on Sunday, diabetes expert Professor David Strain, of Exeter Medical School, said tackling gum disease was crucial in the fight against diabetes – which costs the health service more than £10 billion a year.

‘It’s becoming increasingly clear that uncontrolled gum disease raises blood sugar and the risk of diabetes,’ says Prof Strain.

‘In turn, research shows that regular teeth cleaning brings blood sugar levels down. Tackling the widespread problem of gum disease will help to reduce the burden of diabetes on the health service.’

This comes as a new study claims that tackling gum disease could prevent more than 300,000 cases of type 2 diabetes over the next decade.

The research, funded by Haleon, the company that manufactures Corsodyl toothpaste and mouthwash, also recommended screening gum disease patients for diabetes, in an effort to diagnose and treat the condition earlier.

The first symptom of gum disease is typically sore, bleeding gums. The bleeding often occurs following teeth-brushing, flossing or eating hard foods such as apples. It can also lead to bad breath, shrinking gums and loose teeth.

A dentist can diagnose gum disease by examining the mouth. If the condition is in its early stages, then a dentist might recommend better teeth brushing techniques or advise that the patient sees a hygienist who can clean the teeth.

If the gum disease is more serious then antibiotics, gum surgery and even tooth removal may be necessary.

In recent years, the number of Britons living with the condition has surged, as it has become harder for patients to see NHS dentists. Dentists are in a long-running pay dispute with the Government. As a result, many practise privately. Research has suggested that nine out of ten NHS dentists are not taking on new clients. Studies have linked poor access to NHS dentists with a rise in late-stage mouth cancer diagnoses.

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Now experts say a lack of health service dental care could be driving up cases of diabetes, which affects more than 5.6 million people in the UK. The majority of these have type 2 diabetes – which is often linked to poor diet and lifestyle. And over time, dangerously high blood sugar levels can cause health issues including blindness, kidney failure and an increased risk of heart failure.

There has been an almost 40 per cent rise in diabetes cases in the past five years, driven by rising levels of obesity. Studies suggest that nearly one in ten adults in the UK could have diabetes by 2030.

‘The blood vessels in the mouth can act as a pathway for bacteria to get into the rest of the body,’ says Prof Strain. ‘The more severe the gum disease, the more bacteria will be entering the body.

‘This is a problem because, when the immune system senses a threat, our blood sugar goes up in order to provide energy to fight off the invaders. In short bursts, these blood sugar spikes are harmless, but, over a long period, research suggests this can trigger diabetes.’

The British Dental Association (BDA), also argues tackling gum disease can lower blood sugar.

‘The links between gum disease and diabetes have been recognised by dental professionals,’ a BDA spokesman said. ‘This is another good reason for looking after your oral health.’

This year, a University of Birmingham team, in partnership with Haleon and dentists across the country, will screen 10,000 people for undiagnosed type 2 diabetes during dental visits, in an effort to catch the disease earlier.

Experts say the best way to reduce the risk of gum disease is to brush twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste, as well as using an interdental brush or floss to clean between the teeth.