Leading dentist Dr Ferakh Hamid from Aesthetique Dental Care cautions against the overlooked repercussions of TikTok’s trending weight loss drug Ozempic, shedding light on its negative impact on users’ oral hygiene.
What is Ozempic
Ozempic has become a hot topic on social media, especially TikTok, mainly because people have noticed it can help with weight loss, even though that’s not what it was originally made for. This has led to more people wanting it for weight loss, causing a worldwide shortage.
“While Ozempic is really good at controlling type 2 diabetes and can help shed some pounds, it’s important to remember that it can also lead to side effects. One such side effect is bad breath, which might be related to stomach issues and not drinking enough water.
Link Between Ozempic and Bad Breath
Studies are looking into how Ozempic might cause bad breath by affecting the bacteria in your gut. Ozempic works by changing how your body handles insulin and sugar, which might upset the balance of your gut bacteria, leading to breath that smells bad. However, more research is needed to fully understand this.
“Those using Ozempic should keep an eye out for possible dental side effects caused by semaglutide, its main ingredient. You might experience a dry mouth, taste changes, and a higher chance of dental problems.
Prevention Tips
To keep bad breath at bay while taking Ozempic, sticking to a solid dental care routine is key. Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and a soft toothbrush. Don’t forget to floss every day to get rid of plaque and bacteria hiding between your teeth and near your gums.
A tongue scraper can also be a big help in removing bacteria from your tongue’s surface, which is often a culprit behind not-so-fresh breath. Keeping hydrated is crucial, too, so make sure to drink plenty of water. This not only keeps your mouth from drying out but also helps wash away food bits and bacteria that lead to bad breath.
Consider using a mouthwash that fights bacteria to give your breath a freshness boost. Just make sure it’s alcohol-free to avoid drying out your mouth. Chewing sugar-free gum with xylitol can also increase saliva flow and mask bad odours for a while.
Eating a balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats is also important. Extreme dieting or cutting carbs drastically can lead to ketosis, which might make your breath smell worse.
If you’ve tried everything and bad breath still lingers, talk to your doctor. They might suggest tweaking your Ozempic dose or exploring other diabetes management options that are kinder to your oral health.”
More Research Needed
Although there seems to be a connection between Ozempic and bad breath, we still need more research to understand it completely. Patients should be informed about these possible side effects so they know what to watch out for, and doctors should also look at all the potential causes of bad breath in their patients, which might include the side effects of medications like Ozempic and other health conditions, to make sure they provide the most effective care.
