Latest news with #ElizabethWalton
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
‘Ozempic mouth' and ‘Ozempic teeth' can be frightening — here's the No. 1 way to protect your smile
Buccal up! GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro can be a wild ride — users may experience dramatic weight loss and a sharp drop in appetite but also fierce bouts of nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. There's one possible complication that shouldn't be brushed off. GLP-1 meds, which promote feelings of fullness by mimicking a naturally occurring hormone, can significantly impact oral health. This phenomenon is known as 'Ozempic mouth' or 'Ozempic teeth.' 'Much of this revolves around the side effect of dry mouth,' Dr. Elizabeth Walton, co-founder and clinical director of Risas Kids Dental in Phoenix, told The Post. 'With dry mouth, you have increased likelihood of dental decay and periodontal disease.' Walton fills us in on ways that Ozempic-like drugs can menace the mouth — and how to get to the root of the issue. Saliva neutralizes acid, washes away food particles and remineralizes tooth enamel, providing a lot of natural protection against sugars in our mouths. GLP-1 drugs can influence salivary gland function and decrease saliva production. They are also known to reduce thirst, further diminishing saliva production. 'When the oral environment dries up, bacteria have a great time in there, causing decay and increased inflammatory response,' Walton explained. 'The increased inflammatory response has a direct impact on gingival health — meaning you are more likely to have problems with gingivitis and periodontitis.' Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums, while periodontitis is a more advanced and destructive form of gum disease. Dry mouth symptoms can range from mild to rather severe. To avoid having to undergo a painful deep cleaning or gum surgery, Walton's top tip is to drink more water. She recommends consuming between 2 and 3 liters of H2O a day, which translates to about 64 to 100 ounces. Sugar-free gum also helps promote saliva production. Biotène, meanwhile, offers a range of products designed to help manage dry mouth symptoms, including a mouth spray, oral rinse, moisturizing gel and lozenges. 'I found the Biotène gel to be best,' Walton said. 'But I had to carry it with me because the effects only lasted a short period of time.' GLP-1 users should also avoid dehydrating foods and beverages like caffeinated drinks, alcohol, sports refreshments, salty foods, cured meats, asparagus and sugary juices. And beware spicy foods, which can irritate a dry mouth. Another issue with GLP-1 drugs is that they can cause intense gastrointestinal struggles. 'Nausea and vomiting have a massive impact on oral health, just like dry mouth,' Walton said. 'After you vomit, the pH in your mouth decreases significantly enough to make you more susceptible to decay.' She suggests not brushing your teeth after you vomit. Yes, you read that right. Saliva continuously produces a natural protective barrier for your teeth called the dental pellicle. Brushing your teeth brushes that away, making your teeth even more vulnerable to the newly acidic environment of your mouth. Acidic substances can be quite harmful, eroding the protective enamel of your teeth and paving the way for increased sensitivity, discoloration and a higher risk of cavities. 'It takes between one to two hours for the pH in your mouth to regain optimal levels after vomiting,' Walton said. 'So, if you get sick, rinse with water,' she added. 'Drink a lot of water — you will be dehydrated anyway because of the medication and now you just puked — and brush your teeth after a couple hours.' And finally, GLP-1 drugs can cause changes in taste. Food may not taste as good as it used to — or the meds leave a metallic or bitter taste in your mouth, which is known as 'Ozempic tongue.' 'Some of these symptoms will not go away, but luckily, you won't be taking the GLP-1 forever,' Walton said. The metallic taste may be due to changes in saliva production, mild ketosis or bile reflux. Walton advises sugar-free gum to increase saliva production and 'confuse your brain out of perceiving the metal taste.' Remember to talk with your healthcare provider about any side effects you experience while taking GLP-1 drugs. 'To be successful in your weight loss, you should enlist as much support as possible,' Walton said. 'Don't forget your dentist! We can help it be easier and safer for you.'
New York Post
4 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
‘Ozempic mouth' and ‘Ozempic teeth' can be frightening — here's the No. 1 way to protect your smile
Buccal up! GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro can be a wild ride — users may experience dramatic weight loss and a sharp drop in appetite but also fierce bouts of nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. There's one possible complication that shouldn't be brushed off. GLP-1 meds, which promote feelings of fullness by mimicking a naturally occurring hormone, can significantly impact oral health. This phenomenon is known as 'Ozempic mouth' or 'Ozempic teeth.' 5 Dr. Elizabeth Walton of Risas Kids Dental in Phoenix reveals how to prevent 'Ozempic mouth' and 'Ozempic teeth.' Courtesy of Risas Kids Dental 'Much of this revolves around the side effect of dry mouth,' Dr. Elizabeth Walton, co-founder and clinical director of Risas Kids Dental in Phoenix, told The Post. 'With dry mouth, you have increased likelihood of dental decay and periodontal disease.' Walton fills us in on ways that Ozempic-like drugs can menace the mouth — and how to get to the root of the issue. Saliva takes a lickin' Saliva neutralizes acid, washes away food particles and remineralizes tooth enamel, providing a lot of natural protection against sugars in our mouths. GLP-1 drugs can influence salivary gland function and decrease saliva production. They are also known to reduce thirst, further diminishing saliva production. 5 Gingivitis (seen here) is inflammation of the gums, while periodontitis is a more severe form of gum disease. Dirk – 'When the oral environment dries up, bacteria have a great time in there, causing decay and increased inflammatory response,' Walton explained. 'The increased inflammatory response has a direct impact on gingival health — meaning you are more likely to have problems with gingivitis and periodontitis.' Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums, while periodontitis is a more advanced and destructive form of gum disease. Dry mouth symptoms can range from mild to rather severe. To avoid having to undergo a painful deep cleaning or gum surgery, Walton's top tip is to drink more water. She recommends consuming between 2 and 3 liters of H2O a day, which translates to about 64 to 100 ounces. Sugar-free gum also helps promote saliva production. Biotène, meanwhile, offers a range of products designed to help manage dry mouth symptoms, including a mouth spray, oral rinse, moisturizing gel and lozenges. 5 Walton recommends consuming between 2 and 3 liters of water a day to combat dry mouth. Stock 4 You – 'I found the Biotène gel to be best,' Walton said. 'But I had to carry it with me because the effects only lasted a short period of time.' GLP-1 users should also avoid dehydrating foods and beverages like caffeinated drinks, alcohol, sports refreshments, salty foods, cured meats, asparagus and sugary juices. And beware spicy foods, which can irritate a dry mouth. Battle of the bowl Another issue with GLP-1 drugs is that they can cause intense gastrointestinal struggles. 'Nausea and vomiting have a massive impact on oral health, just like dry mouth,' Walton said. 'After you vomit, the pH in your mouth decreases significantly enough to make you more susceptible to decay.' 5 Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic. Dragana Gordic – She suggests not brushing your teeth after you vomit. Yes, you read that right. Saliva continuously produces a natural protective barrier for your teeth called the dental pellicle. Brushing your teeth brushes that away, making your teeth even more vulnerable to the newly acidic environment of your mouth. Acidic substances can be quite harmful, eroding the protective enamel of your teeth and paving the way for increased sensitivity, discoloration and a higher risk of cavities. 'It takes between one to two hours for the pH in your mouth to regain optimal levels after vomiting,' Walton said. 'So, if you get sick, rinse with water,' she added. 'Drink a lot of water — you will be dehydrated anyway because of the medication and now you just puked — and brush your teeth after a couple hours.' An acquired taste And finally, GLP-1 drugs can cause changes in taste. Food may not taste as good as it used to — or the meds leave a metallic or bitter taste in your mouth, which is known as 'Ozempic tongue.' 5 Ozempic and similar drugs can bring major weight loss as well as risky side effects. Getty Images 'Some of these symptoms will not go away, but luckily, you won't be taking the GLP-1 forever,' Walton said. The metallic taste may be due to changes in saliva production, mild ketosis or bile reflux. Walton advises sugar-free gum to increase saliva production and 'confuse your brain out of perceiving the metal taste.' Remember to talk with your healthcare provider about any side effects you experience while taking GLP-1 drugs. 'To be successful in your weight loss, you should enlist as much support as possible,' Walton said. 'Don't forget your dentist! We can help it be easier and safer for you.'
Daily Mail
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE 70s star from America's beloved TV family is unrecognizable on rare outing with husband... can you guess who?
Fans of The Waltons were in for a treat when one of the show's beloved stars made a rare public appearance in Los Angeles, stepping out with her husband for a casual day of shopping. The actress, now 59, played a member of the tight-knit Virginia family living through the hardships of the Great Depression and World War II. Nearly five decades after the iconic series first aired, she looked radiant and relaxed on her stroll, rocking a breezy black-and-white skirt, a sporty zip-up, and a floppy sun hat—worlds away from her character's life in the rural Appalachian Mountains. But it was her signature ginger-tinged hair that gave her away to longtime fans as she strolled arm-in-arm with her British-born husband, with whom she shares two children after more than two decades of marriage. After stepping away from Hollywood, the former child star traded scripts for textbooks, earning a degree in Social Sciences and later launching her own education consulting business. Can you guess the reclusive star? The actress, now 59, played a member of the tight-knit Virginia family living through the hardships of the Great Depression and World War II If you said Kami Cotler, you're right! The real-life Elizabeth Walton, who was just six when she landed her breakout role, still charms today—only now in a very different spotlight. Kami's much-loved family drama ran from 1971 to 1981 (with three subsequent movie spin-offs). At the heart of the series was eldest son John-Boy (Richard Thomas), an aspiring writer, along with his hardworking parents John Sr. (Ralph Waite) and Olivia (Michael Learned). The family also included strong-willed Mary Ellen (Judy Norton), fun-loving Jim-Bob (David W. Harper), and the youngest, Elizabeth (Kami Cotler). Beloved grandparents Zebulon 'Zeb' Walton (Will Geer) and Esther Walton (Ellen Corby) added wisdom and warmth, becoming fan favorites for their humor and heart. It remains famous for its much imitated 'Goodnight John Boy' closing sequence where each member of the family says goodnight to the others. The show was such an example for American family life at the time, that President George Bush once even said in a speech in 1992 that he wished to make families in the United States 'more like the Waltons and less like the Simpsons'. The program earned two Golden Globe Awards as well as an Emmy Award for outstanding drama series. Its lasting popularity brought the cast back together for six reunion TV movies, which aired between 1982 and 1997. And Long Beach native Kami wasn't the only performer in the family—her brother Jeff Cotler also ventured into acting during the 1970s and early 1980s. He appeared in several television series, including The Waltons, Mork & Mindy, Falcon Crest, and Galactica 1980. However, Jeff eventually stepped away from the entertainment industry, later working as a projectionist at Sundance Cinemas in San Francisco. As for the rest of the beloved cast, many have continued to thrive in new chapters of their careers. Thomas, who played John-Boy, went on to earn acclaim in adult roles with standout turns in The Americans, NCIS: New Orleans, and Ozark. Jon Walmsley (Jason) focused on music, releasing a blues-inspired solo album, Goin' to Clarksdale, in 2017. The program earned two Golden Globe Awards as well as an Emmy Award for outstanding drama series It remains famous for its much imitated 'Goodnight John Boy' closing sequence where each member of the family says goodnight to the others At the heart of the series was eldest son John-Boy (Richard Thomas), an aspiring writer, along with his hardworking parents John Sr. (Ralph Waite) and Olivia (Michael Learned) Judy Norton (Mary Ellen) embraced writing and directing, appearing in indie films like Inclusion Criteria and developing her own projects including the upcoming Shoot Like a Girl. Mary Elizabeth McDonough (Erin) became a successful author and women's health advocate—her novel Christmas on Honeysuckle Lane was even turned into a Hallmark movie in which she had a role. Eric Scott (Ben) now runs a courier business in Southern California, while David W. Harper (Jim-Bob) left acting and reportedly works as an art dealer in Los Angeles. Michael Learned (Olivia) returned to TV with recent roles in General Hospital and Netflix's Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. The show's patriarch, Ralph Waite (John Sr.), continued acting until his death in 2014, with memorable appearances on NCIS, Bones, and Days of Our Lives.
