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Scottish Sun

How to spot ‘Ozempic mouth' as top UK dentist reveals key warning signs

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A top Brit dentist revealed how to spot "Ozempic mouth" by exposing the key warning signs. Thousands of people are grabbing weight loss jabs to shed fat - but ditching their sweet tooth may not save them from a trip to the dentist. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up It comes as Google searches for 'Ozempic teeth' soared by more than 1,200% over the last month. Using medication including Mounjaro, Wegovy and Saxenda can trigger many side effects including weight loss, loose skin, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. Now Nyree Whitley, a leading UK dentist, has revealed how the jabs could also affect your oral health. Here's FIVE "of the "Ozempic mouth" warning signs that the public has been urged to look out for. TONGUE CHANGES Your tastes and cravings may completely change while using the medication. Some Celebrities have recently reported that they simply don't enjoy the taste of food like before taking a weight loss jab such as Ozempic, and this seems to be a common side effect. Dr Nyree Whitley, Chief Clinical Officer at mydentist, explained: 'It is possible that for some, Ozempic may change or alter your taste. "This could mean that you notice changes in your preferred foods or eating habits – for example, you may find that you enjoy foods you previously didn't have a hankering for, or that you stop enjoying the taste of food as much." I LOVE my new 'Ozempic face' - it looks like I got jawline filler, I look 10 years younger AND I lost 60lbs NAUSEA A common side effect of taking weight loss jobs is vomiting which could cost you a trip to the dentist. Dr Whitley explained that this is because when you're sick, your teeth are more exposed to stomach acid which could be harmful to your teeth. Over time, stomach acid can cause erosion to the tooth's enamel, which could make you more susceptible to sensitivity and ultimately tooth decay. If you experience tooth sensitivity while using weight loss jabs, try opting for a sensitive toothpaste. But if this doesn't help to lessen any discomfort, contact your dentist for a check-up once you're feeling up to it just to make sure everything is ok. Dr Whitley said: 'One common side effect of Ozempic is nausea and vomiting and while this is an unsettling feeling, I'd urge anyone suffering from this side effect to refrain from brushing their teeth until at least 30 minutes after being sick.' Nyree continued: 'To manage discomfort and mitigate any nasty tastes that occur as a result of vomiting, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water in the first instance, and wait for at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth or using mouthwash. 'If you don't leave enough of a gap in-between vomiting and brushing your teeth, you'll brush the acid around your teeth - and while the minty flavour will be refreshing, you'll ultimately damage your enamel, which could have a long-lasting impact on your oral health.' DRY MOUTH Ozempic can slow down your saliva production and flow, you may experience a dry mouth when using the weight loss jab. This can cause health issues because if you experience a consistently dry mouth, you'll be at an increased risk of developing gum disease or tooth decay. Nyree commented: 'Saliva plays an integral role in managing natural bacteria and pH levels in the mouth, helping to neutralise acids and keeping your teeth protected against decay. 'If you care about experiencing dry mouth as a side effect of using Ozempic, ensure you sip water little and often to encourage saliva flow. 'You can also chew on sugar-free gum to encourage saliva production, which you may find helpful.' BAD BREATH People using weight loss jabs might have bad breath due to their gut bacteria being thrown off balance. A side effect can also include sulphur burps which can have an 'eggy' smell which is unpleasant. Nyree explained: 'Ozempic slows down your digestion, your gut bacteria could also be thrown off-balance, leading to bad breath due to the increase in sulphur compounds.' ACID REFLUX Acid reflux is a burning feeling in the chest caused by stomach acid travelling up towards the throat. Heartburn can be very uncomfortable and it is not uncommon for it to be triggered by weight loss jabs. Nyree Whitley, Chief Clinical Officer at mydentist, commented: 'Some may also experience acid reflux, whereby stomach acid can flow back into the oesophagus and into the mouth, which could contribute to the erosion of your enamel – further increasing the risk of developing cavities or tooth decay. 'The first sign of this will be sensitive teeth – if this isn't helped by sensitive toothpaste, contact your dentist for a check-up.'