The FDA has issued a warning to limit the use of fluoride supplements in children, citing concerns over their safety and effectiveness. The agency recommends that children under three years old should not be given these supplements, while those between three and six years old should only be used when there is a high risk of tooth decay.
The decision comes as part of a broader effort by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to restrict the use of fluoride in various forms, including drinking water. Kennedy has argued that fluoride is a "dangerous neurotoxin" with links to health problems such as gut issues, weight gain and cognitive impairment.
In a statement, the FDA said that while fluoride supplements may help strengthen teeth and reduce cavities, they may also have unintended consequences, such as altering the gut microbiome. The agency noted that for the same reasons fluoride can kill bacteria on teeth, it may also disrupt the balance of good and bad bacteria in the digestive system.
The move has been disputed by the American Dental Association, which claims there is no evidence to support Kennedy's concerns over fluoride. However, dentists have warned that restricting these supplements could lead to more cavities and dental problems in rural communities where access to fluoridated water may be limited.
Fluoride is added to drinking water throughout the US at levels set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 1962. Kennedy has called for an end to this practice, citing concerns over fluoride's potential health risks.
The FDA regulates most dental products, including toothpastes, mouthwashes, and treatments used in dentists' offices, but not those intended for children under three years old. The agency's actions do not affect the use of fluoride in drinking water or other forms of treatment used by adults.
The decision comes as part of a broader effort by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to restrict the use of fluoride in various forms, including drinking water. Kennedy has argued that fluoride is a "dangerous neurotoxin" with links to health problems such as gut issues, weight gain and cognitive impairment.
In a statement, the FDA said that while fluoride supplements may help strengthen teeth and reduce cavities, they may also have unintended consequences, such as altering the gut microbiome. The agency noted that for the same reasons fluoride can kill bacteria on teeth, it may also disrupt the balance of good and bad bacteria in the digestive system.
The move has been disputed by the American Dental Association, which claims there is no evidence to support Kennedy's concerns over fluoride. However, dentists have warned that restricting these supplements could lead to more cavities and dental problems in rural communities where access to fluoridated water may be limited.
Fluoride is added to drinking water throughout the US at levels set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 1962. Kennedy has called for an end to this practice, citing concerns over fluoride's potential health risks.
The FDA regulates most dental products, including toothpastes, mouthwashes, and treatments used in dentists' offices, but not those intended for children under three years old. The agency's actions do not affect the use of fluoride in drinking water or other forms of treatment used by adults.
... I mean, have you seen the layout of that article? It's all over the place! They jump from talking about the FDA warning to Robert Kennedy Jr.'s claims without any clear structure or flow. And don't even get me started on the formatting - it's like they just threw all the info together without a care 
... I'd love to see a rework with headings, subheadings, and bullet points to make it easier to read and understand. And can we please talk about the image of the tooth? It's just sitting there, not doing anything for us... Can't they add some visual interest or something? 
. I mean, my niece just started taking them and now she might not be able to continue if her parents want to follow this guideline? It's like the FDA is being super cautious but also kinda restrictive. I get why they're looking out for us kids' health, but what about all the kids who already have fluorosis from drinking water in their area? 
It's gonna be a real challenge for parents to find alternative options, especially if they live in rural areas where access is limited.
. Sure, Kennedy Jr. is all about restricting its use, but I think the agency's being too cautious 
. They're basically saying that supplements can alter the gut microbiome, which is a legit concern 
, but what about the benefits of fluoride? It helps prevent cavities and strengthen teeth 
. Should we just risk everything for the sake of playing it safe? I don't think so 
. The whole thing feels like overkill to me 
.
! IT SEEMS LIKE THERE'S BEEN TOO MUCH MIXED MESSAGES ABOUT FLUORIDE FOR MY HEAD TO KEEP TRACK OF 
. CAN WE JUST STICK TO DRINKING WATER AND NOT OVERDO IT ON THE SUPPLEMENTS, YOU KNOW?
! I mean, I know some ppl are worried about fluoride's safety, but I didn't think it was a big deal 
. Like, isn't fluoridated water what's supposed to help prevent cavities and strengthen teeth? 
. And what's up with Kennedy calling fluoride a "dangerous neurotoxin"? 
That sounds super alarmist... 
And I'm not gonna lie, I've always been skeptical about taking supplements for my teeth anyway... like, can't we just brush and floss regularly instead? 
Not saying Kennedy's wrong or anything, but have we considered all our options?
. I mean, I get where Robert Kennedy Jr. is coming from, but some of his claims are just outta left field 
. I'm not gonna lie, I've taken my kids to the dentist before and they always seem fine 
.
. Like, isn't that just the opposite of what we're trying to prevent? 
I guess you gotta weigh all the pros and cons 
. Still, I think it's good that the FDA is being cautious 
.
The thing that's got me curious though is what this means for rural communities where access to fluoridated water might be limited already 
. Are they gonna have to find other ways to keep their kids' teeth healthy or risk more cavities? It's like, a double-edged sword, you know? 
I'm not convinced about the whole neurotoxin thing, but I do know fluoride is added to our water and it seems like a lot of people are just making stuff up 
, and I'm like, what's up with that? It seems so...fascinating? I mean, have you ever seen a beekeeper in action? They're always buzzing around these tiny creatures, and it looks like a whole different world down there. And the honey! Oh my goodness, the honey is insane 
. I had this one friend who was into beekeeping, and they would bring me these jars of this golden liquid that tasted like...well, like nothing I'd ever had before. Anyway, just thought I'd share my random beekeeping tangent 
.
my aunt has cancer and she said the doctor told her to drink more water with fluoride in it so that's a pretty big deal too...
. I mean, we want what's best for our little ones, right? But at the same time, it's also good that they're doing their due diligence and not just blindly recommending these supplements 
#FluorideSupplements #KidSafety #DentalHealthMatters
. Are we really putting too much faith in these supplements? What about the impact on rural communities who don't have access to fluoridated water? We need to hear more from both sides of the argument and not just jump to conclusions 