The **FDA** has announced plans to **remove fluoride supplements for children** from the market, igniting a lively debate about the mineral’s role in dental health. This decision comes amid a broader movement, with states like **Utah** leading the charge to limit fluoride in public water supplies. Recently, legislation aimed at restricting fluoridated water has emerged in states like **Florida**, **Louisiana**, **North Dakota**, **Tennessee**, and **Montana**. **Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.** has even signaled intentions to push the **CDC** to reconsider its fluoride recommendations altogether.
The **FDA** is set to review the safety of fluoride products for children by **October 31**, citing several potential health risks that, according to them, lack rigorous research support.
“The evidence is incredibly weak to make this kind of move,” argues **Dr. Scott Tomar**, a public health dentist at the **University of Illinois Chicago**. He stresses that public health policy should not be decided based on a small number of insubstantial studies.
Why Are Dentists Advocating for Fluoride Supplements?
Dentists often prescribe **fluoride tablets, lozenges, and drops** for children who either live in areas lacking fluoridated water or are at heightened risk for cavities. This might be due to factors like a high plaque accumulation, irregular dental visits, or family history of dental diseases. These supplements aim to provide fluoride levels comparable to those typically obtained from **fluoridated drinking water**.
**Fluoride drops and tablets** add an additional layer of protection against tooth decay, complementing the fluoride from toothpastes and mouthwashes. According to **Dr. F. Perry Wilson**, a physician and chronic disease epidemiologist at the **Yale School of Medicine**, these supplements enter the bloodstream and subsequently reach the saliva, creating a constant level of fluoride that bathes the teeth. “In fact, my own children took fluoride supplements as advised by their dentist,” he recounted.
Are There Health Risks Associated with Fluoride Supplements?
The **FDA** has raised **concerns** about the potential health risks linked to fluoride supplements. Their release explained that fluoride could possibly alter the **gut microbiome in children**, referencing a review of studies on this subject.
While this review highlighted that high fluoride levels caused microbiome disruption in rats, it also noted that this area remains “under-researched” in humans. **Dr. Gary Moran**, a professor at **Trinity College Dublin**, reassured: “Our paper made it clear that there’s insufficient evidence to warrant discontinuation of fluoride use; further research is paramount.”
Moreover, an additional paper reviewed studies on fluoride and gut health, concluding that consuming fluoride at levels recommended by the **World Health Organization**—which are typically higher than those found in U.S. drinking water—can **promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria**.
Contrarily, excessive fluoride inhibits this beneficial bacterial growth. Despite the **FDA**’s claims concerning other health risks—including an unproven correlation between fluoride and reduced IQ in children—many experts argue that the studies cited are flawed and originate from outside the U.S. **Dr. Patricia Braun**, a pediatric professor at the **University of Colorado**, emphasizes that many findings come from regions with fluoride levels nowhere near U.S. standards.
The **FDA** also hinted at potential connections between fluoride supplements and weight gain, to which **Dr. Tomar** responded firmly: “There’s absolutely no credible study supporting that fluoride causes weight gain.”
While concerns surrounding fluoride persist, the consensus among many health professionals remains that **fluoride has established dental health benefits**. However, as **Dr. Wilson** articulated, “There are nuances here; caution is valid, but so is considering the benefits.”
What Are Alternatives for Protecting Children’s Dental Health?
For children who lack access to fluoride supplements or live in non-fluoridated areas, options such as **fluoridated toothpaste and mouth rinses** are available. However, these alternatives might not consistently offer enough fluoride to combat cavities, as **Dr. Wilson** notes.
Dental offices also provide professional fluoride treatments, although this requires regular dental visits.
**Dr. Marty Makary**, the FDA commissioner, advocates for limiting sugar intake and maintaining good dental hygiene as the best way to prevent cavities. Yet, many agree that this ideal is often impractical.
“If you can manage to control public sugar intake and ensure good dental hygiene, you deserve more than one Nobel Prize,” joked **Dr. Levy**.
