Ozempic and Wegovy have been hailed as marvel medication relating to weight reduction. However because the drug has develop into extra extensively used, a lot of unintended side-effects have develop into obvious – with the load loss drug affecting the looks of the whole lot out of your butt to your ft.
“Ozempic face” is one other generally reported penalties of utilizing these standard weight reduction medication. It is a sunken or hollowed out look the face can tackle in folks taking weight reduction medication. It might probably additionally enhance indicators of ageing – together with traces, wrinkles and sagging pores and skin.
This occurs as a result of the motion of semaglutide (the energetic ingredient in each Ozempic and Wegovy) isn’t localised to behave simply on the fats in locations we don’t need it. As a substitute, it acts on fats throughout the entire physique – together with within the face.
But it surely isn’t simply the looks of your face that semaglutide impacts. These medication can also have an effect on the mouth and enamel, too. And these side-effects may probably result in lasting injury.
Dry mouth
Semaglutide results the salivary glands within the mouth. It does this by decreasing saliva manufacturing (hyposalivation), which may in flip result in dry mouth (xerostomia). This implies there isn’t sufficient saliva to maintain the mouth moist.
It isn’t precisely clear why semaglutide has this impact on the salivary glands. However in animal research of the drug, it seems the drug makes saliva stickier. This implies there’s much less fluid to moisten the mouth, inflicting it to dry out.
GLP-1 receptor agonist medication (akin to semaglutide) may scale back water consumption by affecting areas within the mind answerable for thirst. Low fluid consumption additional reduces saliva manufacturing, and will even trigger the saliva to develop into thick and frothy and the tongue to develop into sticky.
Unhealthy breath
One different generally reported undesirable impact by semaglutide customers is unhealthy breath (halitosis).
When there’s much less saliva flowing by means of the mouth, this encourages micro organism that contribute to unhealthy breath and the formation of cavities to thrive. These bacterial species embrace Streptococcus mutans and a few strains of Lactobacillus.
One other species that has been proven to thrive in circumstances the place saliva is lowered is Porphyromonas gingivalis. This micro organism is a major contributor to the manufacturing of unstable sulphur compounds, which trigger the foul odours attribute of halitosis.
One other issue which may clarify why semaglutide causes unhealthy breath is as a result of much less saliva being produced means the tongue isn’t cleaned. This is similar motive why your “morning breath” is so unhealthy, as a result of we naturally produce much less saliva at evening. This permits micro organism to develop and produce odours. Case report photos present some folks taking semaglutide have a “furry”-like or coated look to their tongue. This means a construct up of micro organism that contribute to unhealthy breath.
Some folks taking the load loss drug expertise a bacterial buidl-up on their tongue.
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Tooth injury
One of many main side-effects of Ozempic is vomiting. Semaglutide slows how shortly the abdomen empties, delaying digestion which may result in bloating, nausea and vomiting.
Repeated vomiting can injury the enamel. It’s because abdomen acid, composed primarily of hydrochloric acid, erodes the enamel of the enamel. The place vomiting happens over a protracted interval of months and years the extra injury will happen. The again floor of the enamel (palatal floor) closest to the tongue usually tend to see injury – and this injury might not be apparent to the sufferer.
Vomiting additionally reduces the quantity of fluid within the physique. When mixed with lowered saliva manufacturing, this places the enamel at even larger danger of harm. It’s because saliva helps neutralise the acid that causes dental injury.
Saliva additionally contributes to the dental pellicle – a skinny, protecting layer that the saliva varieties on the floor of the enamel. It’s thickest on the tongue-facing floor of the underside row of enamel. In individuals who produce much less saliva, the dental pellicle incorporates fewer mucins – a kind of mucus which helps saliva follow the enamel.
Decreasing the chance of harm
For those who’re taking semaglutide, there are a lot of issues you are able to do to maintain your mouth wholesome.
Ingesting water frequently through the day will help to maintain the oral surfaces from drying out. This helps keep your pure oral microbiome, which may scale back the chance of an overgrowth of the micro organism that trigger unhealthy breath and tooth injury.
Ingesting loads of water additionally permits the physique to provide the saliva wanted to forestall dry mouth, ideally the beneficial day by day quantity of six to eight glasses. Chewing sugar-free gum can also be a smart choice because it helps to encourage saliva manufacturing. Swallowing this saliva retains the dear fluid throughout the physique. Gums containing eucalyptus might assist to forestall halitosis, too.
There’s some proof that probiotics might assist to alleviate unhealthy breath, at the very least within the brief time period. Utilizing a probiotic dietary supplements or consuming probiotic-rich meals (akin to yoghurt or kefir) could also be a good suggestion.
Practising good primary oral hygiene, tooth brushing, decreasing acidic meals and sugary drinks and utilizing a mouthwash all assist to guard your enamel as properly.
Ladies are twice as prone to have side-effects when taking GLP-1 receptor agonists – together with gastrointestinal signs akin to vomiting. This can be as a result of intercourse hormones oestrogen and progesterone, which may alter the intestine’s sensitivity. To keep away from vomiting, attempt consuming smaller meals for the reason that abdomen stays fuller for longer whereas taking semaglutide.
In case you are sick, don’t instantly brush your enamel as this can unfold the abdomen’s acid over the floor of the enamel and enhance the chance of harm. As a substitute, rinse your mouth out with water or mouthwash to cut back the power of the acid and wait at the very least half-hour earlier than brushing.
It isn’t clear how lengthy these negative effects final, they’ll doubtless disappear when the remedy is stopped, however any injury to the enamel is everlasting. Gastrointestinal side-effects can final a couple of weeks however often resolve on their very own except a better dose is taken.
