‘Ozempic Teeth’, ‘Tongue’, ‘Breath’ As Possible GLP-1 Med Oral Effects

People have been mouthing off on social media about the different things that Ozempic and other glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists can supposedly do to, well, the inside of your mouth. There’s what’s been dubbed “Ozempic teeth,” which encompasses dental problems like gum disease, tooth decay and teeth falling out of your mouth. But it’s not just the tooth and nothing but the tooth that supposedly may be affected. There’s also “Ozempic breath,” which is being used to describe the bad breath that reportedly may occur.

Then there’s “Ozempic tongue,” which people are using to describe how such meds may affect the tongue, including changes in taste. In this case, changes in taste doesn’t mean going from liking sweater vests to going all Boho-chic. Instead, it refers to dysgeusia, a taste disorder, where you feel that all foods taste funny, like metallic, sweet, sour or bitter.

I’ve already written for Forbes about other “Ozempic [fill in body part here]
terms that have been circulating on social media like “Ozmepic finger”, “Ozempic butt” and “Ozempic feet.” The question then is do these claims about “Ozempic teeth”, “Ozempic breath” and “Ozempic tongue” have any teeth? In other words, are they supported by any scientific evidence? Or are they just more of the say-whatever-you-want-to-say-without-real-evidence that you see frequently on Instagram, TikTok, X and other social media platforms.

Ozempic And Other GLP-1 Agonists Could Lead To Dry Mouths

Well, there is a case series published in a real medical journal called Medicine of people suffering xerostomia when taking semaglutide containing medications. Semaglutide is the stuff in Ozempic and Wegovy that can do the appetite suppression leading to weight loss thing. When you hear “xerostomia,” you may be thinking, “Zero what?” It’s actually a scientific term for having a dry mouth due to insufficient saliva production.

The case series described what happen to three female patients, ranging in ages from 27 to 46 years, who went to an oral medicine clinic in Saudia Arabia complaining about having severe dry mouths after taking semaglutide for weight loss for six to 16 weeks. While they were in the clinic, a modified Schirmer test confirmed their underproduction of saliva or hyposalivation.

In one case, discontinuing the semaglutide resulted in normal saliva production being restored. In another case, starting pilocarpine, a medication that can stimulate salivary glands, did the trick. And in the third case, the patient decided to continue the semaglutide just long enough to achieve a target amount of weight loss. After this happened, her normal saliva flow resumed.

It shouldn’t be super surprising that taking GLP-1 agonists may affect saliva production. After all, studies of mice have suggested that glucagon-like peptide 1 can play a role in the production of saliva by salivary glands.

Of course, a case series and mouse studies alone can’t tell you how common hyposalivation may be with taking Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, Mounjaro or other such medications. GLP-1 agonist use. But multiple dental office websites do mention dry mouth as a side effect of GLP-1 agonist use. This suggests that it could be relatively common. Nevertheless, more rigorous scientific studies would be needed to get more exact numbers.

Dry Mouth Could Be Behind ‘Ozempic Teeth’, ‘Ozempic Breath’ and ‘Ozempic Tongue’

Now, having xerostomia certainly doesn’t mean having zero problems. Saliva doesn’t just give you something to swap when you kiss someone. You need enough saliva in your mouth to keep everything in there properly lubricated. Otherwise, things may start to stick with each other, like your tongue to the roof of your mouth.

The Cleveland Clinic website lists other potential problems with a dry mouth such as a constant sore throat. difficulty eating, speaking or swallowing, hoarseness and increased thirst. There is also the possibility of, bingo, changes in taste, bad breath, mouth and tongue sores, gum problems and tooth decay. Ways of treating xerostomia including stopping or reducing whatever may be inhibiting saliva production, using lozenges like ones that contain sorbitol or taking medication that stimulate saliva production like cevimeline and pilocarpine.

Ozempic And Other GLP-1 Agonists Could Lead To Changes In Taste Perception

When it comes to accounting for taste or the taste changes that may occur with taking GLP-1 agonists, saliva underproduction may not be the only cause. Consider a study presented at ENDO 2024, which is the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting that was held in guess what year, 2024. This study led by Mojca Jensterle Sever, PhD from the University Medical Centre in Ljubljana, Slovenia, consisted of 30 women with obesity and having half of them take semaglutide once a week and the other half taking a placebo for 16 weeks.

At the end of the study, those taking semaglutide had greater sensitivity to different tastes based on trying different strips soaked with stuff that was supposed to taste sweet, sour, salty and bitter. Biopsies of their tongues also revealed that those taking semaglutide had greater activity of genes that may be involved in taste bud renewal and transmission of nerve signals related to taste. Moreover, functional MRI scans revealed that those who had taken semaglutide had increased activity in the angular gyrus of the parietal cortex of their brains when getting a solution of sweet stuff placed on their tongues prior to and following a meal. The angular gyrus helps organize different signals from different parts of your body that capture sensory information like your tongue.

All of this also shouldn’t be super surprising. After all, GLP-1 agonists are supposed to work by affecting GLP-1 receptors and in big part your appetite.

The angular gyrus has a high number of GLP-1 receptors as well. This can lead to sweet things tasting even sweeter and salty things tasting saltier, potentially reducing your desire to consume these types of foods. However, it is important to note the difference between beneficial changes in taste and dysgeusia, where everything tastes unpleasant and can lead to a lack of essential nutrients. Further research is necessary to validate these findings on taste alteration and to understand the prevalence of taste changes and dysgeusia.

Therefore, the claims of “Ozempic Breath,” “Ozempic Teeth,” and “Ozempic Tongue” do have some basis in existing evidence. It is crucial to recognize that potential side effects like these serve as a reminder that GLP-1 agonists are not quick fixes for weight loss. Choosing such medications should not be a substitute for making improvements to your diet and increasing physical activity. Otherwise, you may end up experiencing unwanted effects.