WASHINGTON (AP) — The Food and Drug Administration took action Friday to restrict the use of fluoride supplements used to strengthen children's teeth. This is the latest action by Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his representatives against chemicals that are a mainstay of dental treatment.
The FDA said the product is no longer recommended for children under 3 and older adults who do not face a significant risk of tooth decay. Previously, this product was prescribed to children as young as 6 months old.
The action stopped short of an FDA statement in May that indicated regulators would seek to remove the product from the market. Instead, the agency sent letters to the four companies warning them not to sell products above the new limits.
Due to low fluoride levels in local drinking water, fluoride tablets and lozenges may be recommended for children and teens who are at high risk for cavities and cavities. Companies also sell drops for babies.
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The FDA released a new scientific analysis Friday, concluding that fluoride supplements have limited benefits for children's teeth and may be associated with new safety concerns, including gastrointestinal problems, weight gain, and cognitive function.
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“For the same reason that fluoride kills bacteria on teeth, it can also alter the gut microbiome, which can have broader health implications,” the agency said in a statement.
The agency also sent form letters to dentists and other health care providers warning them of the product's risks.
These claims are disputed by the American Dental Association, which says there are no serious health problems associated with fluoride when used at dentist-prescribed levels. The FDA also notes that supplements can cause spots and discoloration on teeth due to excess fluoride.
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Dentists warn that restrictions on fluoride supplements could lead to more cavities and dental problems in rural areas where access to fluoridated water is less likely. President Kennedy also seeks to eliminate the practice of adding fluoride to drinking water throughout the United States.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fluoride strengthens teeth and reduces cavities by replacing minerals lost through normal wear and tear. In 1962, the agency set guidelines for how much to add to water.
Kennedy, a former environmental lawyer, said fluoride is a “dangerous neurotoxin” linked to a variety of health risks.
The FDA regulates most dental products, including toothpastes, supplements, mouthwashes, and rinses that contain fluoride. The agency's action does not affect toothpaste, mouthwash, fluoride treatments used by adults or treatments provided in dental clinics.
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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science Education Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. AP is solely responsible for all content.
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