Dentists Warn That Ozempic Can Wreak Havoc on Your Teeth and Gums

Earlier this week, Best Life reported on a troubling new side effect of popular weight-loss drugs: “Ozempic mouth.” The rapid weight loss that usually results from these medications can cause “sunken cheeks, saggy jowls, [and] deeper lines around the mouth,” all of which contribute to a “prematurely aged appearance,” said Ed Robinson, one of the UK’s top aesthetic doctors, in an interview with The Sun. However, dentists are now speaking out about how Ozempic can wreak havoc inside your mouth, causing issues with the teeth and gums.

RELATED: Ozempic and Wegovy May Have Landed 25,000 People in the ER—Here’s the Scary Reason Why.

Weight-loss drugs may be causing dental issues.

In an interview with Hello! magazine, U.K.-based dentist Sofina Ahmed warned patients that weight-loss drugs could cause lasting changes to their smiles. Though the side effects are being grouped as “Ozempic teeth,” it’s important to note that this specific drug is only approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, though it’s often taken off-label for weight loss.

“It can be a surprise for patients,” Ahmed explained. “They focus on weight loss and don’t realise how much it can affect oral health. But saliva, chewing activity, and hormonal balance all play a vital role in maintaining a healthy smile.”

According to dentists, the biggest side effects they’re seeing from Ozempic and similar GLP-1 drugs are:

Dry Mouth

According to Healthline, since the most common side effects of Ozempic are gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, the drug can often lead to dehydration, in turn causing dry mouth (xerostomia). Ahmed said that these types of drugs can also decrease salivary production in the mouth.

“Without enough saliva, food particles and acids aren’t washed away,” she noted. “This creates the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive.”

And an increase in oral bacteria can lead to gum disease and tooth decay. Amned said it can also weaken the immune activity inside your mouth, leading to painful mouth ulcers.

Tim Bradstock-Smith, founder and principal dentist at The London Smile Clinic, shared similar concerns with The Independent: “While the medication itself isn’t directly harmful to the teeth, side effects—particularly dry mouth—can heighten the risk of decay, enamel erosion, and gum disease if not carefully managed.”

Increased Sensitivity

Dentists say they’ve also seen an increase in patients using GLP-1 medications who are experiencing increased tooth sensitivity.

“Many weight loss injectable users report heightened pain and tenderness when consuming cold, hot, and sweet foods,” Ahmed told The Independent. “If not treated correctly, this may cause enamel erosion or receding gums, which take back the inner layers of the tooth, making it more sensitive.”

Bad Breath

Bad breath, or halitosis as it’s formally known, may not affect your long-term health, but it certainly can cause distress in the short term.

Dental hygienist Anne Symons wrote an article for the British Dental Nurses’ Journal (BDNJ), in which she shared the oral health side effects she’s seen from weight-loss drugs. She explained that one of the primary ways GLP-1 drugs aid in weight loss is by slowing the emptying of food from the stomach so that patients feel fuller for longer.

However, when food sits in the stomach, it can create volatile sulphur compound (VSC) producing gut bacteria. “These play a significant role in malodorous gas production,” which can lead to bad breath, Symons said.

Gum Recession

Similar to “Ozempic mouth,” when a patient loses a lot of weight quickly, it can cause aesthetic changes to the smile.

“Fat loss in the cheeks and jawline can cause gums to shrink and smiles to look aged or sunken,” Ahmed told Hello!.

In speaking with The Independent, she added, “This loss of overall structure can impact how dentures or veneers fit, leading to long-term functional and cosmetic dental problems.”

How to protect your oral health while taking weight-loss drugs.

First, let us say that all of these side effects are anecdotal and have not been proven through scientific studies. If you are experiencing these or any other symptoms, speak to your healthcare provider.

Ahmed also recommends staying well-hydrated, using a toothpaste with fluoride, and sucking on healthy mints or chewing sugar-free gum to boost saliva production.

“Avoid acidic, sugary foods or overly processed snacks that can cause enamel erosion and harmful bacteria,” she suggested to The Independent. “Instead, try crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples and celery to help with natural cleaning and saliva flow.”