Across Texas and the broader Southern United States, a new wave of concern is sweeping through dental offices and living rooms alike. On September 16, 2025, both KNUE-FM and MR Online published articles highlighting a troubling intersection: the rise of so-called "Ozempic teeth"—dental issues linked to the popular weight-loss drug Ozempic—and the deep-rooted oral health crisis gripping the South. While Ozempic and similar GLP-1 medications have offered life-changing weight loss for many, their potential side effects are now shining a spotlight on a much larger, systemic dental care problem in the region.
Ozempic, a GLP-1 receptor agonist initially developed to treat type 2 diabetes, has exploded in popularity as a weight-loss aid. As more Texans and others across the South turn to these medications, reports of unexpected side effects have begun to surface. According to KNUE-FM, some patients have started to notice what dentists and social media users are calling "Ozempic teeth"—a constellation of dental issues including gum disease, enamel damage, and chronic dry mouth. "Some patients taking these medications have noticed some signs of gum disease, damage to enamel, and dry mouth that they hadn’t experienced before," the station reported. The culprit may be the way GLP-1 drugs slow digestion, which, while helpful for weight loss, can cause nausea, vomiting, and, crucially, reduced saliva production.
Dry mouth is more than just an annoyance. As KNUE-FM explained, "dry mouth can cause bacteria to increase in our mouths, leading to bad breath and even tooth decay." Without enough saliva to wash away food particles and neutralize acids, the risk of cavities and gum disease skyrockets. Dentists are now urging Ozempic users to take extra precautions: stay hydrated, chew sugar-free gum or lozenges to stimulate saliva, brush and floss religiously, and never skip dental check-ups. It’s solid advice, but for many in Texas and neighboring states, following it is easier said than done.
That’s because, as MR Online’s in-depth investigation revealed, the South is already battling a severe oral health crisis. In many rural towns, seeing a dentist isn’t just a matter of making an appointment—it’s a logistical nightmare. Several counties in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Alabama are classified as "dental deserts," meaning there’s no dentist within a thirty-minute drive. The reasons are complex, but at the heart of the problem is a patchwork of state policies that have left millions without access to even the most basic dental care.
Medicaid, the federal-state health insurance program for low-income Americans, is a prime example. In much of the South, Medicaid won’t cover a single dental cleaning for adults. "Many Southern states do not cover adult dental care through Medicaid, contributing to poor oral health outcomes, especially in rural and low-income communities," MR Online reported. This isn’t simply an oversight; it’s the result of deliberate policy choices about what counts as "essential" care. When the Affordable Care Act offered federal funds for states to expand Medicaid in 2010, the Supreme Court’s 2012 decision made expansion optional. Several Republican-controlled states, including Texas, declined the funds, leaving millions uninsured for dental services.
The consequences have been devastating. Across the U.S., more than 72 million adults have no dental coverage of any kind. In the South, the numbers are even starker. States like Texas, Arkansas, and Mississippi consistently report some of the nation’s worst oral health outcomes, particularly among low-income and rural populations. Tooth loss, untreated decay, and preventable pain are rampant. As MR Online highlighted, "more than 20 percent of U.S. adults have untreated tooth decay, and nearly one in five Americans over 65 has lost all of their natural teeth."
Racial and socioeconomic disparities are impossible to ignore. Non-Hispanic Black adults experience untreated tooth decay at almost twice the rate (42 percent) of non-Hispanic white adults (22 percent), according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data cited by MR Online. Hispanic adults aren’t far behind, with 36 percent facing untreated decay. In Alabama, nearly half of third graders have experienced tooth decay, and one in four has untreated cavities.
For many, the lack of access to regular dental care means waiting until pain becomes unbearable—then heading to the emergency room. But ERs aren’t equipped to fix dental problems; they can only offer temporary relief. This cycle costs the U.S. health care system $3.9 billion annually, MR Online reported, and leaves patients with the same unresolved issues. "Emergency rooms typically don’t treat the root cause of dental problems: They prescribe antibiotics and opioids, and send people home," the article noted.
Meanwhile, some communities are losing another critical line of defense: fluoridated water. In several small and mid-sized Southern towns, community water systems have stopped adding fluoride—long recognized as a safe and effective way to prevent cavities—due to rising costs and public skepticism. The result? Higher rates of tooth decay, especially among children.
It’s not just about insurance or water, though. The Southern dental workforce is aging and shrinking. Many rural counties in Alabama and elsewhere have only one dentist, if any. More than 20 percent of the state’s dentists are over sixty, and in a quarter of counties, there are no dentists under forty. Nationally, 24.7 million people live in dental shortage areas, with less than one dentist per 5,000 residents. The federal Health Resources and Services Administration estimates the U.S. needs over 10,000 additional dentists to meet current demand.
Solutions exist, and some have already proven effective. Expanding Medicaid dental benefits reduces emergency room visits and improves health outcomes. Community water fluoridation saves $20 in long-term costs for every $1 invested. School-based sealant programs can prevent hundreds of cavities in children for every thousand treated. Federally Qualified Health Centers, mobile clinics, and teledentistry are bringing care to underserved communities. And in fourteen states, dental therapists—mid-level providers who can perform basic dental procedures—are helping fill the gap, though many Southern states still don’t allow them to practice independently.
Back in Texas, as Ozempic users weigh the benefits and risks of their medication, the advice from KNUE-FM rings true for everyone: "Make sure to stay well-hydrated throughout the day. Keep saliva flowing in your mouth with sugar-free gum or lozenges. Brush and floss regularly, even if you don’t want to. Don’t neglect your dental check-ups so issues can be detected early." But for too many Southerners, these tips highlight a cruel irony—knowing what to do, but lacking the means to do it.
Ultimately, the rise of "Ozempic teeth" is just the latest symptom of a much deeper problem: a dental care system that leaves millions behind. As the stories from Texas and beyond make clear, dental pain isn’t inevitable—it’s a policy choice. And with the right investments and reforms, it’s a choice that can be changed.
