WASHINGTON — WASHINGTON (AP) — Food and Drug Administration moved to on Friday limit fluoride use supplements used to strengthen children's teeth, latest action by health minister Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his deputies are against chemical it is the basis of dental care.
The FDA said these products are no longer recommended for children under 3 years of age and for those who are older but do not face a serious risk of tooth decay. Previously, the products were prescribed to children aged six months and older.
The actions fell short of FDA statements in May that said regulators would seek to remove the products from the market. Instead, the agency sent letters to four companies warning them not to sell their products outside the new restrictions.
Fluoride tablets and lozenges are sometimes recommended for children and adolescents at increased risk of tooth decay or cavities due to low fluoride levels in local drinking water. Companies also sell drops for infants.
On Friday, the FDA released a new scientific analysis that concluded that fluoride supplements have limited benefit for children's teeth and may be associated with emerging safety concerns, including gut problems, weight gain and cognitive function.
“For the same reason that fluoride can kill bacteria on teeth, it can also alter the gut microbiome, which could have broader health consequences,” the agency said in a statement.
The agency also sent a letter to dentists and other health care workers warning them of the risks posed by the products.
These claims have been disputed by the American Dental Association, which has stated that there are no serious health problems associated with fluoride in doses prescribed by dentists. Supplements may cause staining or discoloration of teeth due to excess fluoride, which is also noted by the FDA.
Dentists warn that limiting fluoride supplements could lead to more cavities and dental problems in rural communities where fluoridated water is used less frequently. Kennedy is also committed to ending the practice of adding fluoride to drinking water throughout the United States.
Fluoride strengthens teeth and reduces tooth decay by replacing minerals lost during normal wear and tear, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 1962, the agency set standards for how much to add to water.
Kennedyformer environmental lawyer, fluoride called a “dangerous neurotoxin” associated with a range of health hazards.
The FDA regulates most dental products, including fluoride toothpastes, supplements, mouthwashes and rinses. The agency's action does not affect toothpastes, mouthwashes or fluoride products used by adults or offered in dentists' offices.
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