Liraglutide

Oral health effects

• Nausea/vomiting (erosion risk)

  GI upset and vomiting can contribute to erosion with frequency.

  Clinical management: Erosion counseling; manage as for other GLP-1 agonists.

• Indirect periodontal/caries risk via glycemic control

  These agents do not act directly on the mouth, but the underlying diabetes (and how well it is controlled) strongly influences periodontal disease, healing, and infection risk.

  Clinical management: Reinforce that good glycemic control supports periodontal health; coordinate care and note HbA1c.

• Dry mouth (xerostomia)

  Dry mouth was reported in 2.3% of liraglutide-treated patients vs 1% on placebo in weight-management trials (label).

  Clinical management: Screen for dry mouth and caries risk; recommend water sipping, sugar-free xylitol gum/lozenges, saliva substitutes and high-fluoride toothpaste where caries risk is raised, especially when combined with vomiting/reflux.

• Taste change (dysgeusia)

  Dysgeusia is reported, mainly within the first 12 weeks of treatment and often together with GI side effects (label).

  Clinical management: Reassure; rule out oral causes (candidiasis, dry mouth) and advise against compensating with sugary/acidic foods.

• Aspiration risk under deep sedation or general anesthesia

  GLP-1 agonists delay gastric emptying; the label warns of rare postmarketing reports of pulmonary aspiration during general anesthesia or deep sedation despite standard fasting.

  Clinical management: Record GLP-1 use in the medical history and flag it to whoever provides sedation/general anesthesia for dental procedures; follow current multisociety perioperative guidance and the prescriber's advice rather than stopping the drug yourself. Routine hygiene without sedation is unaffected.