FDA and RFK Jr. Aim to Remove Fluoride Supplements for Kids’ Teeth

Introduction to the Issue

By MATTHEW PERRONE, Associated Press Health Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health regulators announced an effort Tuesday to phase out ingestible fluoride supplements sometimes used to strengthen children’s teeth, opening a new front in Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s effort against a mainstay of dental care.

The FDA’s Plan

The Food and Drug Administration said it will conduct a scientific review of the children’s products by late October with the aim of removing them from the market. Formally withdrawing medical products requires a lengthy rulemaking process that can take years. Instead, the FDA will ask manufacturers to voluntarily pull their products, according to an administration official.

The Purpose of Fluoride Supplements

Fluoride tablets and lozenges are sometimes recommended for children and teens at increased risk of tooth decay or cavities because of low fluoride in their local drinking water. Companies also sell drops for babies.

Concerns About Fluoride

FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said the products pose a risk when swallowed because they may interfere with healthy gut bacteria that are critical to digestion, immunity and other key bodily functions. He also referenced studies showing possible associations between excess fluoride intake and other problems, including decreased IQ.

Reaction from the Dental Community

The nation’s leading dental group said Tuesday the studies “do not in fact demonstrate any harmful effects” from fluoride at the levels used by dentists.

“Proposals like this stand to hurt rural America, not make them healthier,” American Dental Association President Dr. Brett Kessler said. “More than ever, at this critical time in American health care policy, it is vital that we slow down to properly study the full implications of actions like this on the health of the nation.”

The Role of Fluoride in Dental Health

Fluoride strengthens teeth and reduces cavities by replacing minerals lost during normal wear and tear, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 1962, the agency set guidelines for how much should be added to water.

Kennedy’s Stance on Fluoride

Kennedy, a former environmental lawyer, has called fluoride a “dangerous neurotoxin” tied to a range of health dangers. Last month, he announced a task force to scrutinize fluoride’s use, while at the same time saying he would order the CDC to stop recommending that it be added to tap water.

Scientific Studies on Fluoride

A report last year by the federal government’s National Toxicology Program concluded that drinking water with more than twice the CDC’s recommended level was associated with lower IQs in kids. The study was based on research conducted in Canada, China, India, Iran, Pakistan and Mexico.

Conclusion

“Ending the use of ingestible fluoride is long overdue,” Kennedy said in a statement Tuesday. “This decision brings us one step closer to delivering on President Trump’s promise to Make America Healthy Again.”

The FDA regulates most dental products, including fluoride-containing toothpastes, supplements, mouthwashes and rinses. But in Tuesday’s press release, the FDA said the ingestible products targeted by the agency have “never been approved.” The agency’s plan wouldn’t affect toothpastes, mouthwash or fluoride treatments used by adults or those offered in dentists’ offices.

FAQs

What are fluoride supplements used for?

Fluoride supplements are used to strengthen children’s teeth and reduce the risk of tooth decay or cavities, especially in areas with low fluoride levels in the drinking water.

Why is the FDA removing fluoride supplements?

The FDA is removing fluoride supplements due to concerns about their potential risks, including interference with healthy gut bacteria and possible associations with decreased IQ.

What does the American Dental Association say about fluoride supplements?

The American Dental Association says that the studies do not demonstrate any harmful effects from fluoride at the levels used by dentists and that removing fluoride supplements will be particularly harmful to vulnerable populations.

Will the FDA’s plan affect toothpaste and mouthwash?

No, the FDA’s plan will not affect toothpaste, mouthwash, or fluoride treatments used by adults or those offered in dentists’ offices.