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

Introduction to the Issue

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced plans to phase out fluoride-containing supplements used to strengthen children’s teeth, marking a significant development in Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s effort against a mainstay of dental care. The FDA will conduct a scientific review of these products by late October, aiming to remove them from the market.

Background on Fluoride Supplements

The products targeted by the FDA are sometimes recommended for children and teens at increased risk of tooth decay or cavities due to low fluoride in their local drinking water. These supplements, which usually require a prescription from a pediatrician or dentist, come in various forms, including fluoride-based tablets, lozenges designed to be chewed or swallowed, and drops for babies and infants.

Health Concerns Associated with Fluoride Supplements

FDA Commissioner Marty Makary has stated that these products pose a risk when swallowed by children, as they may interfere with healthy gut bacteria critical to digestion, immunity, and other key bodily functions. Additionally, he referenced studies suggesting possible associations between excess fluoride intake and other problems, including decreased IQ. However, previous reviews by public health experts and dental professionals have not shown any serious health risks associated with these products.

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 (CDC). The CDC set guidelines for how much fluoride should be added to water in 1962. Despite its benefits, Kennedy has called fluoride a “dangerous neurotoxin” tied to a range of health dangers and announced a task force to scrutinize its use.

Recent Developments and Controversies

A report by the federal government’s National Toxicology Program concluded that drinking water with more than twice the CDC’s recommended level of fluoride was associated with lower IQs in kids, based on research conducted in several countries. Kennedy welcomed the FDA’s move, stating, “Ending the use of ingestible fluoride is long overdue.” This decision comes as some states begin removing fluoride from their water, potentially increasing the need for supplemental fluoride.

Recommendations and Regulations

An influential government health panel recommends fluoride supplements for children between the ages of six months and 5 years if they live in areas with low fluoridation levels, citing high certainty of benefit. The American Dental Association has also recommended supplemental fluoride for children up to 16 years old who are at high risk of cavities. The FDA regulates most dental products, including fluoride-containing toothpastes, supplements, mouthwashes, and rinses, which have recently been targeted with lawsuits and legal actions.

Conclusion

The FDA’s plan to phase out fluoride supplements marks a significant shift in the approach to dental health, particularly for children. As the scientific review progresses, it will be crucial to consider both the potential health risks associated with excess fluoride intake and the established benefits of fluoride in preventing tooth decay. The outcome of this review will have implications for dental care practices and public health policies regarding fluoride supplementation.

FAQs

• Q: Why is the FDA planning to remove fluoride supplements from the market?
  A: The FDA is concerned about the potential health risks associated with swallowing fluoride supplements, including interference with healthy gut bacteria and possible links to decreased IQ.
• Q: What forms do fluoride supplements come in?
  A: Fluoride supplements come in various forms, including tablets, lozenges, and drops for babies and infants.
• Q: Who recommends fluoride supplements and for whom?
  A: An influential government health panel recommends fluoride supplements for children between six months and 5 years old living in areas with low fluoridation levels. The American Dental Association recommends them for children up to 16 years old at high risk of cavities.
• Q: What are the benefits of fluoride in dental health?
  A: Fluoride strengthens teeth and reduces cavities by replacing minerals lost during normal wear and tear.
• Q: How does the FDA’s plan affect states that are removing fluoride from their drinking water?
  A: As states remove fluoride from their water, the need for supplemental fluoride may increase, potentially complicating the FDA’s efforts to phase out these supplements.

  By MATTHEW PERRONE, Associated Press Health Writer

  WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health regulators announced plans Tuesday to phase out fluoride-containing 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 Food and Drug Administration said it will conduct a scientific review of the products by late October with the aim of removing them from the market. It was not immediately clear whether the agency planned to formally ban the supplements or simply request that companies withdraw them.

The products targeted by the FDA are sometimes recommended for children and teens who are at increased risk of tooth decay or cavities because of low fluoride in their local drinking water. They usually require a prescription from a pediatrician or dentist. Fluoride-based tablets and lozenges are designed to be chewed or swallowed. Companies also sell drops for babies and infants.

FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said the products pose a risk when swallowed by children 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.

Previous reviews by public health experts and dental professionals have not shown any serious health risks with the products.

As state and local governments begin removing fluoride from their water, the need for supplemental fluoride is expected to grow.

Officials in Utah — the first U.S. state to ban fluoride from drinking water — recently made fluoride supplements available without a prescription.

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, 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 it.

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.

“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.”

An influential government health panel recommends fluoride supplements for children between the ages of six months and 5 years if they live in areas with low fluoridation levels. The U.S. Preventative Services Task Forces judged the recommendation to have “high certainty” of benefit, based on the available evidence.

A 2010 paper from the American Dental Association recommended supplemental fluoride for children up to 16 years old who are at high risk of cavities. The recommendation was based on a review of studies across different age groups. The most common side effect associated with the products is spotting or discoloration of the teeth, caused by extra fluoride.

The FDA regulates most dental products, including fluoride-containing toothpastes, supplements, mouthwashes and rinses.

In recent weeks those products have increasingly been targeted with lawsuits and legal actions.

Last week, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced an investigation into the marketing of fluoride toothpastes by Colgate-Palmolive and Proctor and Gamble. A press release from his office described the companies’ promotions as “misleading, deceptive and dangerous.”

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

        <p>Originally Published: May 13, 2025 at 11:56 AM EDT</p>