The Oral Side of GLP-1s: Dry Mouth, Disclosure and Dental Care (Ep 183)

GLP-1 medications are everywhere, and dental teams are already seeing the effects at the chair. Pharmacist Anne Misher joins host Matt Crespin for a conversation rooted in the oral-systemic link, and why these drugs are far more than a weight-loss story. She explains how GLP-1s work across diabetes, weight management, heart disease, fatty liver, and sleep apnea, and how their anti-inflammatory effects may even support gum health. Misher breaks down the side effects worth watching, from dry mouth and enamel erosion to the facial changes that follow rapid weight loss. She also shares a practical way to capture an accurate health history when patients hesitate to disclose. The evidence is still emerging, and this episode gives hygienists a real head start. When patients will not say it, the mouth often will. Guest: Anne Misher, PharmD, MBA, CPP Host: Matt Crespin, MPH, RDH, FADHA