Ozempic and your teeth: what to watch out for

Quick answer: Weight-loss medication such as Ozempic (a GLP-1 medicine with semaglutide) can put indirect strain on your teeth. The best-known effects are a dry mouth, enamel erosion from reflux or vomiting, and bad breath. That increases your risk of cavities and sensitive teeth. Good oral hygiene, drinking enough and regular check-ups with your dentist or orthodontist protect your teeth.

Are you using a weight-loss medicine such as Ozempic and notice that your mouth feels drier or your teeth become more sensitive? You are not alone. GLP-1 medication (with the active ingredient semaglutide) is popular among adults who want to lose weight, and more and more people come with questions about its effect on their teeth. The short answer: the medicine does not damage your teeth directly, but the side effects can make your mouth more vulnerable.

Below you can read which effects are known, why they arise, and what you can practically do about them, even if you are wearing a brace or aligners at the same time. We write this from the daily practice of our orthodontic clinic in the centre of Amsterdam, on the Museumplein. Important first: an orthodontist or dentist does not prescribe weight-loss medication and does not treat with it. We safeguard your teeth while you use such a medicine.

Ozempic is a brand name for semaglutide, a so-called GLP-1 receptor agonist. These medicines (which also include Wegovy and Mounjaro) mimic a hormone that curbs your appetite and empties your stomach more slowly. As a result you eat less and lose weight. They were originally developed for people with type 2 diabetes; they are now widely used for weight loss.

So the medicine works on your digestion and appetite, not on your teeth. Yet the side effects reach your mouth via a detour. That phenomenon was given the media nickname "Ozempic teeth". Not an official diagnosis, but a collective term for oral complaints people experience during use.

At the moment there is still no large clinical study showing that GLP-1 medication directly damages your enamel or gums. What there is: side effects that make conditions in your mouth less favourable. The most important:

• Dry mouth (xerostomia). Less saliva is a frequently mentioned complaint. In a published case series, patients developed clearly reduced saliva production within a few weeks of starting semaglutide. Saliva neutralises acids, washes away food residue and helps your enamel recover. With less saliva, bacteria get more of a chance, and your risk of cavities rises.
• Enamel erosion from stomach acid. Nausea and vomiting are known side effects, especially at the start or after a dose increase. FDA data show that a considerable proportion of users experience nausea and a smaller proportion vomit. The slower gastric emptying can also cause reflux. Stomach acid that reaches your teeth softens the enamel and slowly dissolves it. Enamel that is gone does not grow back.
• Bad breath (halitosis). A dry mouth and a coated tongue often go together with less fresh breath. In the aforementioned case series, halitosis was explicitly noted in patients with reduced saliva production.
• Sensitive teeth and gum problems. A drier mouth and affected enamel can make teeth more sensitive and increase the risk of gum inflammation. The fact that some users let their oral care slip during nauseous periods does not help.

Important to keep in perspective: these are risk factors, not certainties. Many people use GLP-1 medication without major oral complaints. But anyone who knows what to look out for can usually stay ahead of problems.

A few targeted habits keep your mouth healthy. This is what healthcare providers recommend:

1. Drink water regularly. Small sips spread throughout the day keep your mouth moist and wash away acids and bacteria.
2. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride strengthens your enamel. With a high cavity risk, your dentist can recommend an extra fluoride gel or rinse.
3. Do not brush immediately after vomiting or reflux. Your enamel is briefly softened then; brushing scrubs it away extra. Rinse first with water (possibly with a pinch of baking soda) and wait about 30 minutes before brushing.
4. Stimulate your saliva. Sugar-free chewing gum, saliva sprays or gels help with a dry mouth.
5. Limit acid and sugar. Soft drinks, fruit juices and acidic snacks put extra strain on weakened enamel.
6. Tell your dentist and orthodontist. That way they can keep a targeted eye on things and intervene earlier. Many healthcare providers recommend coming in for check-ups more often than the standard six-monthly appointment if you have a dry mouth or reflux.

An orthodontic treatment places extra demands on your oral hygiene, and those demands become heavier if you use a weight-loss medicine at the same time. What it comes down to:

• Plaque builds up faster around brackets and wires. With a fixed brace thorough brushing is already important; with less protective saliva, every missed spot counts double. Interdental brushes and a fluoride rinse help.
• Aligners seal acids against your teeth. If you wear an invisible brace from Invisalign, drink only water while the trays are in. Sugar or acid under the aligner stays against your enamel, which is extra unfavourable with a dry mouth. Rinse your trays and your mouth before putting them back.
• More frequent check-ups pay off. During your treatment we see you regularly anyway. If you use GLP-1 medication, let us know, so we can keep a targeted eye on your enamel and gums.

That way you prevent the road to a beautiful smile from unintentionally causing new damage.

Our practice is in the centre of Amsterdam, within walking distance of the Museumplein. We treat both children and adults and look further than just the position of your teeth: your oral health is part of it too. What you can expect from us:

• An orthodontist who keeps an eye out, not a medicine dispenser. We do not prescribe weight-loss medication and do not treat with it; we safeguard your teeth while you use such a medicine.
• Attention to oral hygiene during your treatment. Practical guidance and, where needed, extra check-up moments if your teeth are more vulnerable.
• Clear agreements in advance. You know what we do, why, and what it costs.
• Easy to reach. Easily accessible by tram, bike or car from all over Amsterdam and the surrounding area.

Are you using weight-loss medication and want to know whether it affects your teeth, or are you considering a brace? View our treatments or plan a no-obligation consultation at our practice in central Amsterdam.

Does Ozempic damage my teeth directly?

No, there is no evidence for that. The medicine works on your appetite and digestion, not on your teeth. Side effects such as a dry mouth, reflux and vomiting can put indirect strain on your teeth, though. With good oral care and regular check-ups you keep that risk small.

What are "Ozempic teeth"?

That is a popular nickname from the media, not an official diagnosis. It refers to oral complaints people experience during GLP-1 use, such as a dry mouth, sensitive teeth, enamel erosion and bad breath.

Should I tell my orthodontist that I use weight-loss medication?

Yes, we recommend it. Then we can keep a targeted eye on your enamel and gums and check more often if needed. It does not affect whether you can get a brace, but it helps us protect your teeth well.

Can I get a brace or aligners while using GLP-1 medication?

In principle yes. Weight-loss medication does not stand in the way of an orthodontic treatment. Good oral hygiene is then only more important, because a dry mouth and reflux increase the risk of cavities and enamel damage.

What do I do after vomiting or reflux?

Do not brush immediately: your enamel is softened then. Rinse first with water, possibly with a pinch of baking soda, and wait about 30 minutes before brushing. That way you prevent scrubbing away the weakened enamel.

Want to know more or request a no-obligation consultation? Contact our practice in Amsterdam.