Ozempic Teeth: What You Should Know About GLP-1 Medications

GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy and Trulicity (to name a few) are used in the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes, weight management, and even perimenopause and menopause.

For at least a year or so dentists have been whispering in corners (and posting on internet sites) about something that's being called "Ozempic teeth."

While this is not an officially recognized condition, "Ozempic teeth" is being used as a catch-all phrase to describe the sudden onset of tooth decay, the increase in reported sensitivity, and rapid bone loss seen in patients taking these GLP-1 medications.

This is not just happening in patients who have been battling these problems for years. This is even happening in people who have had a lifetime of good checkups. They're surprised by suddenly finding themselves with multiple cavities, uncomfortable sensitivity, and even tooth loss due to rapidly progressing periodontal disease. In fact, in October 2025 the New York Dental Association issued an advisory (https://www.nysdental.org/news-publications/news/2025/10/23/glp-1s-and-oral-health--what-your-patients-should-know) about these GLP-1 medications stating that "oral health should be part of the conversation at the time of prescription."

What we have right now is a pattern, not proof. These are the observations of working dentists along with patient reports, and there are no long-term studies yet establishing that GLP-1 medications directly cause decay. But we'd rather talk with you about it now than wait for the research to catch up.

Why are these things happening?

1. Dry Mouth. GLP-1 drugs suppress thirst and appetite, leading to dehydration and reduced salivary flow. Saliva is your mouth's natural defense system: it buffers acid, washes away food, and delivers the minerals that repair early enamel damage. Less saliva alters the pH of your mouth, increases plaque formation, and raises the risk for both cavities and periodontal disease. Dry mouth also brings along altered taste, bad breath, cracking at the corners of the mouth, and a higher risk of oral yeast infections.
2. Acid. nausea, vomiting, and GI upset increase the presence of stomach acid in the mouth. Many people on these medications also experience acid reflux (also known as heartburn or GERD) without ever actually being sick. This acid wears your enamel away rapidly, regardless of its origin.
3. What you're eating and drinking. When food is unappealing, patients often shift toward soft, easy-to-tolerate foods and sip either electrolyte drinks, sports drinks, lemon water, or coffee throughout the day. Constant snacking and sipping means constant acid and sugar exposure with no recovery time in between. This is a recipe for rapid tooth decay, especially in a dry mouth environment.
4. Less food means fewer nutrients. Dramatically reduced calorie intake often means less protein, calcium, and vitamin D, which are exactly the healing ingredients your jawbone and gum tissue depend on.
   
   

So What Should You Do?

1. Hydrate. Drink water on a schedule if you don't feel thirsty. Aim for roughly half your body weight in ounces of water every day. Use a water bottle to help you track your progress. Plain water, not flavored or electrolyte drinks!
2. Rethink the sipping. If you're going to have something acidic or sweet, have it with a meal and finish it, rather than nursing it over two hours. Rinse with water afterward.
3. Use a toothpaste with fluoride, nano-hydroxyapatite, or both. Read our article on nHAp. We may also recommend a prescription-strength fluoride or in-office fluoride varnish while you're on the medication.
4. If you are vomiting, do not brush your teeth immediately after.  Instead, rinse your mouth with water and pop in a xylitol mint or chew xylitol-containing gum. Wait at least 30 minutes and then brush if you still feel you should. Xylitol is worth using throughout the day, not just after an episode. Besides raising the pH of your mouth xylitol also inhibits bacterial growth.
5. Come see us more often. While you're on a GLP-1, we'll likely want to see you every three to four months rather than every six. Catching potential problems early is always better than finding them later. An early cavity can be fixed with a simple filling. Finding that same cavity later may mean you need a crown or a root canal.
6. Tell your prescriber you're working with your dentist on all of this. Medicine and dentistry need to work together for the best possible outcome for the patient. Oral health belongs in all medical conversations as far as we are concerned.
7. One more reason to tell us is that GLP-1 medications slow down how quickly your stomach empties. That means food can still be sitting in your stomach even after you've followed normal fasting instructions before a procedure. If you're having any kind of sedation or general anesthesia, that raises the risk of aspiration, which is a serious complication. The American Society of Anesthesiologists has issued guidance in 2023 on managing GLP-1 medications before elective procedures, and updated multi-society guidance in 2024. Depending on your dose and schedule, you may need to adjust or hold the medication before that appointment. That is a decision we need to make together with you and your prescriber, in advance of your dental procedure.  This is not something to change on your own.
   
   If you're taking one of these GLP-1 medications, please tell us as soon as you start so we can help you navigate this! We have had several patients confess to us after many, many months of use that they are taking these medications. We have absolutely no judgement about you taking it, for whatever the reason. We are here to help you manage your oral health, and we can't help you if we don't know!