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Ozempic may be adding some spring to your step — but it might also be taking a bite out of your smile.
As the popularity of weight-loss drugs surges, a new concern is emerging: “Ozempic teeth.”
The term refers to a range of dental issues users have reported experiencing, such as dry mouth, bad breath, gum disease and tooth decay.
These drugs suppress appetite — since eating normally stimulates saliva flow, eating less can mean less stimulation to the salivary glands, which can cause issues.
“Anecdotal reports suggest that Ozempic and similar weight loss drugs may cause dry mouth,” cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Michele Green told the Daily Mail.
“Ozempic might reduce saliva production, diminishing the mouth’s natural ability to cleanse teeth.”
This can do some serious damage to your pearly whites.
“Saliva is crucial for protecting teeth, as it helps remove food particles, neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in the mouth and provides essential minerals that strengthen tooth enamel,” Green told the Daily Mail.
“When saliva levels are insufficient, the risk of cavities and tooth decay significantly increases.”
Furthermore, research shows some of the most common side effects of GLP-1s are nausea, diarrhea and vomiting — which can also pose some dental problems.
“The stomach is very acidic, and if the patients are having that acid come up into their mouth, then it really is quite damaging to the teeth,” dentist Dr Victoria Holden told The Independent.
One of the intended effects of GLP-1 drugs is to slow stomach emptying to promote satiety — this means food sits in the stomach for longer, which can force stomach acids up into the esophagus, resulting in acid reflux.
If you are experiencing acid reflux, Holden recommends seeing a medical expert about it “because solving that problem from the point of view of rebuilding teeth that have been damaged by acids is complicated and expensive.”
Finally, eating less can lead to nutritional deficiencies — especially crucial vitamins like B12 and zinc — which can contribute to the discomfort, she added.
“Ozempic teeth” is only the latest in a series of conditions reportedly linked to weight loss drugs.
“Ozempic mouth” is marked by by pronounced folds at the corners of the mouth, noticeable wrinkles on the lips and sagging skin along the lip contours and chin area.
“Ozempic face” refers to the gaunt, prematurely aged look some patients develop after shedding pounds at record speed.
And “Ozempic butt” is the moniker attached to the saggy rear end some users are complaining about.
To help combat “ozempic teeth,” experts suggest drinking plenty of water, making sure you get all of your necessary nutrients and practicing good dental hygiene.
It’s also a good idea to tell your dentist about your medication.
“We’ve gone from a bit of denial in the medical field about there being a problem with that to patients now being actively encouraged to see the dentist before they start a program,” Holden told the Independent.
“And if we’ve got a similar thing going on with Ozempic, where potentially the outcomes can be quite damaging to the teeth and gum condition, and [if] we know about it beforehand, we can check that the patients are in optimum dental health before problems arise.”
English (US)