The term ‘Ozempic mouth’ is on the rise – we look at what it is and what this might mean for how dental professionals treat their patients.
With the growing popularity of weight loss jabs – also known under the brand names of Ozempic or Wegovy – the common side effects of the medication have hit the headlines.
‘Ozempic mouth’ refers to the loss of volume in the face, which many say can lead to the development of lines and sagging skin around the mouth.
Dr Zainab Al Mukhtar explains the signs that dental professionals might see in their patients, and how and why they should offer guidance.
‘From a facial aesthetic perspective, there is often considerable facial fat loss, which cannot be accurately predicted in terms of how extensive it will be,’ she said.
‘However, what does tend to occur is the loss of fat around the buccal area and the cheeks. This can lead to increased sagging of the face, as well as hollowing in the temples and lower cheek area (buccal region), creating a sunken and saggy appearance. There are ways to address these issues through skin-tightening procedures and volume restoration with hyaluronic acid fillers.
‘Patients should be made aware that these changes can occur if they are on high doses of Ozempic for an extended period – even as short as two months may be enough to observe such effects. It’s also important to note that Mounjaro is currently a more popular drug than Ozempic.
‘We are seeing similar facial changes with Mounjaro, particularly because the fat loss appears to occur more rapidly based on our observations.’
Potential side effects
She said: ‘Regarding smiles and teeth, while we haven’t observed this to be a major issue in our practice, it can become a concern in patients who do not take proper care of their oral health. For example, those who don’t drink enough water or fail to maintain adequate nutrient levels through supplementation or thoughtful meal planning (especially if they’re only eating one meal a day) are at higher risk. These factors can contribute to oral ulcers, dry mouth and nutrient deficiencies.
‘Additionally, facial hollowing and sagging can affect the smile by causing the corners of the mouth to turn downward, giving a more aged appearance. In general, people may look slightly older because of the faster fat loss. However, there are no direct impacts on the teeth from these medications – except in cases where patients experience frequent vomiting due to nausea.
‘In such cases, acid erosion of the teeth can occur. So while the drug itself doesn’t directly affect the smile, secondary effects – such as poor nutrition, vomiting and facial fat loss – can have an impact. With the right guidance, these issues can be managed and addressed. It is important that patients are made aware of these potential side effects both before and during their treatment.’
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