Recently, weight loss drugs have had a huge surge in popularity. Most people know or have heard of someone, whether it’s a celebrity, family member or friend, who has tried one of these medications. Powerful medications like semaglutide (Ozempic® or Wegovy®), liraglutide (Saxenda®) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro® or Zepbound™) affect much more than the numbers on a scale and can even impact our oral health. If you know the possible side effects, you can find ways to ease or avoid them.
How do these drugs work?
Most weight loss drugs slow down digestion, making people feel full for longer periods and suppressing appetite, which leads to weight loss.
Here are 5 things to know about these medications and your oral health:
- Food stays in the stomach longer. As a result, acid moves upwards from the stomach (known as reflux) causing a burning pain in the upper abdomen or chest. Acid may also move into the mouth where it can wear on tooth enamel and make you more vulnerable to cavities.
- These medications can change the taste of certain foods, making some favorites have an unpleasant taste. There can also be a lingering bad taste in the mouth while taking them.
- The backed-up acid and food sitting so long in the stomach can increase burping and produce a foul smell. This is commonly known as the “Ozempic burp.”
- This class of weight loss drugs can cause nausea and vomiting. Repeated vomiting weakens tooth enamel and can lead to cavities. Try to wait 30 minutes after vomiting before brushing your teeth. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea from these medications can also cause dehydration, so it’s important to drink plenty of fluids when taking them.
- Weight loss medications can cause dry mouth. Dry mouth can worsen bad breath because food stays in your mouth and gets stuck between teeth. Without enough saliva, you are at increased risk of cavities. As stated with the previous side effect, it’s very important to drink lots of water while on these medications.
Continue to care for your oral health with twice-daily brushing and flossing, healthy eating habits, and drinking tap water.
Make sure to tell your medical and dental teams about all of the medications you are on. Weight loss drugs can interact with other medications and treatments. Contact your medical provider for help with any of the side effects discussed in this post.
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This information in this post is for general educational purposes only and does not warrant or represent any information as related to health as specifically appropriate for you. It is not intended to be medical advice or replace the relationship that you have with your health care providers. You should always seek medical advice on any diagnosis or treatment from a qualified health care provider. The information is provided “as is” without any representations or warranties, express or implied.
