Ozemic Breath: Can Weight Loss Drugs Cause Halitosis?

Notably, halitosis, or bad breath, does not appear as a side effect of Ozempic, Wegovy, Monjouro, or Zepbound.

Also, there is no peer-reviewed data on whether or why these drugs cause bad breath.

However, people are studying it, says Fatima Khan, DMD, dentist and co-founder of Riven Oral Care. And that’s important, Khan stresses, because it’s essential to gather more long-term data before drawing conclusions about why people may experience oral hygiene problems like bad breath while taking these medications.

However, Khan noted that clinical trials indicated that belching (or belching) was a side effect experienced by participants, which is often referred to as Ozempic belching.

In a study conducted by Novo Nordisk, almost 9% of people taking semaglutide reported belching. Again, more research is needed before linking bad breath (or a bad taste in a person’s mouth) to GLP-1 medications. However, experts say their plausible belching is one possible reason why GLP-1 drugs can cause bad breath keyword: a.

The three most common causes of GLP-1-related bad breath are belching, bad breath (halitosis), and ketosis, McGowan says.

Bad breath related to belching is not bad breath, although it can feel like it and cause side effects on mental health.

This is the smell of the stomach coming out of the mouth, says McGowan. Patients report that these smells can clear a room and can be a source of anxiety in social situations.

This is a direct result of the mechanism of action of GLP-1 drugs, McGowan explains. All drugs in this drug class cause delayed gastric emptying, which means food takes much longer to leave the stomach. This is one way that medications help with portion control.

The downside is that food can break down and ferment in the stomach.

The stomach is normally designed to empty within four hours of eating, McGowan says. However, GLP-1 medications like Ozempic cause food to stay in the stomach for many more hours, even days. At this point, your stomach is functionally a compost bin, and if you burp, it won’t be pleasant.

McGowan adds that patients who experience GI-related side effects such as vomiting and diarrhea may become dehydrated and experience dry mouth, a common trigger of bad breath.

Finally, the ability of medications to reduce food noise is a benefit, but in rare cases, it can cause greatly reduced nutritional intake leading to ketosis.

Ketosis occurs when the body burns fat for energy, which typically leads to a sweet, acetone-like odor on the breath, McGowan says. Maintaining a balanced nutrition plan, full of all macronutrients, will prevent this.

In addition to the potential for bad breath, Khan says people taking GLP-1 medications may experience:

Khan notes that people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may experience frequent heartburn, as well as a bitter, sour taste in their GERD. Vomiting, a possible side effect, can erode enamel.

Enamel is the hard, mineralized outermost layer of the tooth, Khan says. Dental erosion results from the dissolution of enamel due to acidic substances. GERD further aggravates the erosion.

Khan says this erosion can have a ripple effect, leading to oral sensitivity, discolored teeth and teeth that appear smaller.

Khan adds that dry mouth also increases the risk of tooth decay, and people with diabetes are more likely to develop dental disease.

The good news is that most of these symptoms will improve over time as the body adjusts to the medication, McGowan says.

However, there are some steps you can take in the meantime. The first are the common-sense measures people are advised to take regardless of the medications they take, such as brushing and flossing daily and seeing a dentist at least twice a year, McGowan says.

Other tips include staying hydrated (especially if you experience dry mouth, nausea or vomiting) and eating a balanced diet.

McGowan says fatty, greasy, and heavier foods are slower to digest and leave the stomach, leading to increased belching and odors. Stick to lean protein, fruits and vegetables, and healthy fats in moderation. Fast food, saturated fat, cheese and fatty meats should be limited.

The time of day you eat can also help.

Finish your last meal three to four hours before bed, says Lalani.

Finally, if you still have poor oral health, experts advise talking to your team.

Registered dietitians can help with food choices, and a dentist can provide oral health information and advice.

Ozempic breath is not a clinical diagnosis, but people have bad breath while taking GLP-1 medications.

Experts say this could be due to belching (and therefore not bad breath), halitosis or ketosis.

In addition, side effects of GLP-1 medications, such as nausea and vomiting, can lead to dehydration (and dry mouth), enamel erosion, tooth sensitivity, and discoloration.

Following general guidelines for brushing and flossing and visiting a dentist can help prevent these side effects, which usually resolve over time.