WASHINGTON – Health officials in the United States plan to eliminate ingestible fluoride supplements often used to help fortify children’s teeth, marking a new phase in Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s stance against this widespread dental practice. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced its commitment to conducting a comprehensive scientific assessment of these products by late October, targeting their eventual removal from the marketplace. Rather than initiating a time-consuming regulatory process, the FDA intends to request that manufacturers voluntarily discontinue their distribution.
These fluoride tablets and lozenges are typically recommended for children and adolescents at an elevated risk of dental cavities, especially in areas where local water supplies lack sufficient fluoride. Additionally, fluoride drops are marketed for infant use. However, according to FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, consuming these products may pose risks by interfering with essential gut bacteria necessary for effective digestion, immune function, and overall health. He also mentioned various studies suggesting links between high fluoride consumption and other health issues, such as reduced IQ levels.
Responding to these concerns, the American Dental Association (ADA) stated that current research does not conclusively demonstrate harmful effects from fluoride levels commonly used in dental practices. ADA President Dr. Brett Kessler believes that initiatives like this could potentially disadvantage rural communities, stressing the importance of a careful study of the broader impact on public health as policymaking progresses in the healthcare sector.
In Utah, the first state to prohibit fluoride in public drinking water, fluoride supplements have been made available without prescription as local and state governments continue to phase out water fluoridation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasized fluoride’s role in fortifying teeth and preventing cavities by replenishing lost minerals, establishing guidelines for water fluoridation in 1962 to promote dental health.
Kennedy, formerly an environmental lawyer, characterizes fluoride as a “dangerous neurotoxin” posing various health risks. With his newly assembled task force, he aims to reevaluate fluoride usage, concurrently pledging to direct the CDC to halt recommendations for adding fluoride to municipal water supplies.
Last year’s report from the National Toxicology Program, a federal entity, revealed links between drinking water with fluoride levels exceeding the CDC’s recommendations and diminished IQ scores in children. This conclusion drew from studies conducted across several countries, including Canada, China, India, Iran, Pakistan, and Mexico.
Kennedy, in a statement Tuesday, proclaimed that ending the use of ingestible fluoride is overdue and hailed the FDA’s actions as a promise to prioritize health improvements nationwide.
Government health panels have traditionally endorsed fluoride supplements for youngsters aged six months to five years residing in areas with low fluoridation levels. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force deemed these recommendations as possessing “high certainty” based on current evidence. A 2010 ADA publication also supported fluoride supplements for young individuals up to 16 years old, especially those at high cavity risk, citing a broad review of various studies. A common side effect of these products includes tooth spotting or discoloration due to excess fluoride.
Kessler further noted that the FDA’s new approach could severely impact vulnerable groups and those with restricted healthcare access. The FDA oversees the majority of dental products, including fluoridated toothpastes, mouthwashes, and rinses. Yet, these specific ingestible fluoride items under review were never formally approved, and the FDA’s plan does not involve altering regulations for fluoride toothpastes, mouthwashes, or professional treatments.
Recently, fluoride products have faced increased legal scrutiny. Earlier this month, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an inquiry into the promotional tactics of fluoride toothpastes by companies like Colgate-Palmolive and Procter & Gamble, accusing them of deceptive marketing.