Ozempic, the drug that is commonly being used by celebrities for weight loss purposes, has a number of side effect symptoms its users have complained about - and now, there's another one for users to look out for.
The semaglutide injection, which has the primary purpose of treating Type-2 diabetes, helps to make the body feel fuller and produces more insulin, which has meant that people across the world have been taking it as a seemingly surefire way to lose weight, despite it not being approved for weight loss in the UK and US.
However, people who have used to medication specifically for weight loss - including celebrities - have shared a number of side effects they they suffered, including nausea and diarrhoea.
Jeremy Clarkson also opened up about the fact that he struggled with vomiting, before giving it up for good.
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Ozempic face, which refers to sagging skin and a gaunt look from taking the drug, is also something plenty of users have experienced.
And now, a dentist has issued a warning about the major impact that it could have on your teeth, introducing the phenomenon of 'Ozempic mouth'.
Speaking to Hello, Dr Sofina Ahmed of Viva Dental shared how these medications are creating visible and lasting changes to people's smiles.
She said: "It can be a surprise for patients. They focus on weight loss and don’t realise how much it can affect oral health. But saliva, chewing activity, and hormonal balance all play a vital role in maintaining a healthy smile."
'Ozempic Mouth' is the informal term for the array of oral health issues that appear in some patients taking weight-loss injections.
Common symptoms include dry mouth, increased sensitivity, ulcers and premature ageing of the smile.
"Without enough saliva, food particles and acids aren’t washed away. This creates the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive."
The increased sensitivity which Ozempic users are reporting in their teeth could also lead to further complications other than just being unable to enjoy an ice cream in the sun, with Dr Ahmed suggesting that 'left untreated, this can lead to enamel erosion or receding gums'.
While some have found more success with Mounjaro - a medication approved for weight loss here in the UK - Dr Ahmed suggests that it is all 'GLP-1 medications' that could lead to these dental complications, which suggests that users may well have to choose between keeping their body happy or their teeth healthy.
It is not always a good thing to lose fat, as fat loss in your face can make your smile appear aged, with Dr Ahmed confirming that 'fat loss in the cheeks and jawline can cause gums to shrink and smiles to look aged or sunken'.
Fortunately, for those of you who want to remain on weight loss medications but are determined to keep your teeth pearly white, Dr Ahmed has a few suggestions, including drinking lots of water, using fluoride-rich toothpaste and chewing sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva as ways of ensuring that you don't lose your smile.
James Moorhouse