The time period ‘Ozempic mouth’ is on the rise – we have a look at what it’s and what this may imply for the way dental professionals deal with their sufferers.
With the rising reputation of weight reduction jabs – additionally identified underneath the model names of Ozempic or Wegovy – the widespread unwanted effects of the treatment have hit the headlines.
‘Ozempic mouth’ refers back to the lack of quantity within the face, which many say can result in the event of traces and sagging pores and skin across the mouth.
Dr Zainab Al Mukhtar explains the indicators that dental professionals may see of their sufferers, and the way and why they need to provide steering.
‘From a facial aesthetic perspective, there may be usually appreciable facial fats loss, which can’t be precisely predicted when it comes to how in depth it will likely be,’ she stated.
‘Nonetheless, what does are inclined to happen is the lack of fats across the buccal space and the cheeks. This could result in elevated sagging of the face, in addition to hollowing within the temples and decrease cheek space (buccal area), making a sunken and saggy look. There are methods to handle these points by way of skin-tightening procedures and quantity restoration with hyaluronic acid fillers.
‘Sufferers ought to be made conscious that these adjustments can happen if they’re on excessive doses of Ozempic for an prolonged interval – at the same time as quick as two months could also be sufficient to look at such results. It’s additionally necessary to notice that Mounjaro is at the moment a extra fashionable drug than Ozempic.
‘We’re seeing related facial adjustments with Mounjaro, notably as a result of the fats loss seems to happen extra quickly based mostly on our observations.’
Potential unwanted effects
She stated: ‘Concerning smiles and tooth, whereas we haven’t noticed this to be a serious challenge in our follow, it might probably turn out to be a priority in sufferers who don’t take correct care of their oral well being. For instance, those that don’t drink sufficient water or fail to keep up ample nutrient ranges by way of supplementation or considerate meal planning (particularly in the event that they’re solely consuming one meal a day) are at greater danger. These elements can contribute to oral ulcers, dry mouth and nutrient deficiencies.
‘Moreover, facial hollowing and sagging can have an effect on the smile by inflicting the corners of the mouth to show downward, giving a extra aged look. Basically, folks could look barely older due to the quicker fats loss. Nonetheless, there are not any direct impacts on the tooth from these drugs – besides in instances the place sufferers expertise frequent vomiting resulting from nausea.
‘In such instances, acid erosion of the tooth can happen. So whereas the drug itself doesn’t immediately have an effect on the smile, secondary results – akin to poor vitamin, vomiting and facial fats loss – can have an effect. With the best steering, these points may be managed and addressed. It will be important that sufferers are made conscious of those potential unwanted effects each earlier than and through their remedy.’
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