Washington– The Food and Drug Administration on Friday moved to limit the use of fluoride supplements used to strengthen children’s teeth, the latest action by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his deputies against a chemical considered a mainstay of dental care.
The FDA said the products are no longer recommended for children younger than 3 and those who are older but do not face a serious risk of tooth decay. Previously, the products were prescribed for children as young as six months.
The action stopped short of statements from the US Food and Drug Administration in May, which indicated that regulators would seek to remove the products from the market. Instead, the agency sent letters to four companies warning them not to market their products outside the new limits.
Fluoride pills and tablets are sometimes recommended for children and teens who are at increased risk for tooth decay or tooth decay due to low fluoride in local drinking water. Companies also sell drops for babies.
The Food and Drug Administration released a new scientific analysis on Friday, concluding that fluoride supplements have limited benefits for children’s teeth and may be linked to emerging safety concerns, including bowel problems, weight gain and cognition.
“For the same reason, fluoride may kill bacteria on teeth, and may also alter the gut microbiome, which may have broader health implications,” the agency said in a statement.
The agency also sent a form letter to dentists and other health providers warning them about the risks of the products.
The American Dental Association disputed these claims, saying that there are no major health problems associated with fluoride when used at the levels prescribed by dentists. Supplements can cause stains or discoloration of teeth due to excess fluoride, a downside that the FDA has also noted.
Dentists have warned that restricting fluoride supplements may lead to more tooth decay and dental problems in rural communities, which are less likely to have access to fluoridated water. Kennedy also seeks to end the practice of adding fluoride to drinking water throughout the United States
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 established guidelines on how much should be added to water.
Kennedy, a former environmental lawyer, called fluoride a “dangerous neurotoxin” linked to a host of health risks.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates most dental products, including fluoride toothpastes, nutritional supplements, mouthwashes, and mouthwashes. The agency’s actions do not affect toothpastes, mouthwashes or fluoride treatments used by adults or provided in dentists’ offices.
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