The 6 things to tell your dentist if you take Ozempic or Zepbound, according to experts

GLP-1 side effects are expected, right? We know about the nausea. We’ve read about “Ozempic personality” and GLP-1-related hair loss. By the time “Ozempic teeth” landed on our radar, it was tempting to tune out. But dentists say the potential effects of GLP-1 drugs on your mouth deserve attention. In fact, a 2026 review in the Canadian Journal of Diabetes noted that there are a “multitude” of potential GLP-1 effects on the mouth.

While the drugs themselves don’t rot your teeth, their side effects — such as dry mouth — along with drinking less water, can raise your risk of dental problems. “Reduced saliva alone, even without the added issues of GLP-1 side effects like vomiting, can increase your risk of cavities, gum inflammation and bad breath,” says periodontist Sally Cram, a spokesperson for the American Dental Association (ADA). Some people taking GLP-1 drugs even report a decidedly unpleasant metallic taste or teeth that suddenly feel sensitive.

Still, there are practical steps you can take to protect your mouth.

How GLP-1 drugs can affect your mouth

Here’s what you might notice, and why. Like other side effects, these tend to be most noticeable when you start the medication or move up a dose, according to experts.

Your mouth feels dry.

GLP-1 drugs can cause or worsen dry mouth, according to the ADA. Dehydration is a major reason, says Dr. Ann Defnet, a board-certified obesity medicine specialist. The medications can curb both thirst and appetite, so you may wind up drinking less without realizing it. Drinking less can mean less saliva to protect your teeth and gums, raising your risk of cavities, gum inflammation and bad breath, Cram says.

Your breath and sense of taste change.

Slower digestion plays a role too. When food sits in your stomach for long stretches, it can bring on sulfur-smelling burps and bad breath, according to the same review. Then there’s “Ozempic tongue” — a bitter, sour or metallic taste in your mouth — which Kimberly Sanders, a clinical associate professor at the University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy, calls a “clear side effect” of GLP-1 drugs. Reflux and dry mouth are the most likely culprits, she says.

The drugs may also dull taste overall: In a 2025 study, people taking GLP-1 medications had a significantly harder time identifying sweet, sour, salty, bitter and savory flavors than people who weren’t on the medications.

Your teeth feel sensitive.

GLP-1-related vomiting and reflux “may expose your teeth to stomach acid, contributing to enamel erosion and tooth sensitivity,” Cram says. But frequent episodes are more likely than occasional ones to cause significant enamel erosion, according to research.

The research is still early, though. There haven’t yet been studies that track people’s saliva before and after starting a GLP-1, Sanders says, so most of what experts know comes from what they see in patients and from case reports. And there may be an upside: Many GLP-1 users have type 2 diabetes, which raises the risk of gum disease, and better blood sugar control may help gums over time, according to the nonprofit CareQuest Institute for Oral Health.

Yes, your dentist needs to know you’re on a GLP-1

Your dentist is there to help, and knowing you take a GLP-1 can help them care for your mouth. Still, stigma around weight loss drugs can make people hesitant to speak up, according to a 2026 letter in the British Dental Journal. If you’re not sure where to start, here’s what to share:

1. Which GLP-1 you’re on: Share the name of your medication, your current dose and whether you’re still working up to your full dose, Sanders says. It matters even more if you’re getting sedation for something like wisdom teeth removal or implants. Since GLP-1 drugs slow digestion, your dental team may ask you to stick to liquids the day before, or to reschedule if you’ve just started or increased your dose, according to guidance from the American Society of Anesthesiologists and other medical groups. Don’t stop your medication on your own.

2. Everything else you take: Over-the-counter meds and supplements count too. Antihistamines, antidepressants and some anti-nausea drugs can also dry your mouth, Sanders says, and the effects stack up.

3. How fast you’re losing weight: Very rapid weight loss, by any method, can affect bone density, Sanders says, and eating too little can slow healing. That matters if you’re planning implants or other dental surgery.

4. Any vomiting or reflux: If it’s happening often, your dentist can watch for early erosion or add fluoride protection.

5. New mouth changes: Dry mouth? Bad breath? Weird taste changes or sensitivity? Your dentist needs to know, Cram says. If you’re at higher risk for cavities, you may need to increase cleanings to every three to four months.

6. Your A1c if you have diabetes: Good blood sugar control helps predict how well dental implants heal, Sanders says.

How to protect your teeth on a GLP-1

Most of these fixes are cheap, and none require changing your medication.

Sip on a schedule. Since GLP-1 drugs can mute thirst, don’t wait until you feel parched. “It’s important to really focus on staying hydrated throughout the day,” Defnet says. Water is best, but unsweetened tea counts too, according to research. If that’s not cutting it, Defnet suggests sugar-free electrolyte packets, which are easy to take on the go — just check with your provider first, since electrolytes could be harmful for people with kidney disease or certain other medical issues. One option she likes: sugar-free Liquid I.V., which also made our best electrolyte powder list.

Get your saliva flowing. “Chewing sugar-free gum or using sugar-free lozenges can help stimulate saliva production,” Cram says. Sanders also suggests products with xylitol, a sugar substitute that doesn’t feed cavity-causing bacteria, plus saliva substitutes like rinses, gels and sprays. Keep in mind that xylitol is toxic to dogs, so keep the gum out of reach.

Rinse — don’t brush — after vomiting or reflux. Scrubbing your teeth after acid exposure can wear down softened enamel. That’s why it’s a better idea to “only rinse your mouth with water immediately afterward,” Cram says. After 30 to 60 minutes, though, it’s OK to gently brush with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.

Double down on the basics. Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, clean between your teeth daily (floss picks make it easy) and keep your regular dental checkups, Cram says. Got dry mouth? Ask your dentist about an in-office fluoride varnish or a prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste, she adds. And if your teeth have gotten sensitive, a toothpaste made for sensitivity can help — like Sensodyne, which topped our list of the best toothpaste for sensitive teeth.

Tame the reflux. Less reflux means less acid on your teeth. Try smaller meals, ease up on foods that trigger symptoms and wait a couple of hours after eating before lying down, Sanders suggests. If you’re using lozenges or hard candy for nausea, go sugar-free to help protect against cavities. If reflux keeps bothering you, ask your provider whether an antacid or another reflux medication makes sense for you.

Freshen your taste and breath. If food tastes off or flat, the reflux steps above may help, since reflux may well be driving the problem, Sanders says. For fresher breath, brushing, flossing and gently cleaning your tongue with a scraper can cut down on odor-causing bacteria. Our top-tested scraper is below.

Ease nighttime dryness. If your mouth feels driest when you wake up, running a humidifier while you sleep may help, Sanders says. It’s also worth asking your dentist or doctor whether you breathe through your mouth at night, which can worsen dryness. During the day, cutting back on things that further dry the mouth, like caffeine, soda and alcohol, can help too, she says.

The bottom line

If your mouth has felt off since starting a GLP-1, you’re not imagining it, and you’re not stuck with it. Most of these changes stem from side effects like dehydration and reflux, not the drugs themselves: There’s no evidence that Ozempic, Wegovy or any other GLP-1 directly damages enamel or gums. And from what’s been reported, the changes appear to be reversible, Sanders says. A few small habits go a long way: Keep water nearby, reach for sugar-free gum or lozenges when your mouth feels dry and rinse (don’t brush) after reflux. Then loop in your dentist and prescriber so they can help.

Meet our experts

• Sally Cram, DDS, periodontist and spokesperson for the American Dental Association

• Ann Defnet, MD, board-certified obesity medicine specialist in New York City

• Kimberly Sanders, PharmD, pharmacist and clinical associate professor at the University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy

Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.