Dry mouth, bad breath and tooth damage: the effects Ozempic and Wegovy can have on your mouth

Ozempic and Wegovy have been celebrated as miraculous drugs for weight loss. However, as the usage of these drugs has increased, several unintended side effects have emerged, affecting various body parts from the buttocks to the feet.

One of the reported consequences of using these popular weight loss medications is the “Ozempic face,” a sunken or hollow appearance that the face can develop in individuals taking these drugs. This can accelerate signs of aging, such as lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin, as the active ingredient in both drugs, semaglutide, targets all body fat, including that in the face.

Semaglutide can also impact the mouth and teeth, potentially causing long-term damage. It affects the salivary glands, leading to reduced saliva production, resulting in dry mouth. The drug may make saliva stickier, further drying out the mouth. Additionally, it can reduce water intake by influencing thirst areas in the brain, exacerbating dry mouth and causing bad breath due to bacterial growth encouraged by decreased saliva flow.

Vomiting, a side effect of Ozempic, can damage teeth as stomach acid erodes tooth enamel. Prolonged vomiting poses a greater risk, particularly to the back surface of the teeth near the tongue. To mitigate these risks, individuals taking semaglutide should maintain good oral hygiene, stay hydrated, and consider probiotics to alleviate bad breath.

While gastrointestinal side effects may persist for a few weeks, they often resolve on their own with lower doses. However, any dental damage caused by these medications is permanent.