In a major step that could change dental care for children across the U.S., health officials announced plans to phase out fluoride supplements, which are commonly used to help prevent tooth decay in children. This move is part of a broader effort led by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has long questioned the safety of fluoride.
What Did the FDA Announce?
On Tuesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it will carry out a scientific review of fluoride-based tablets, lozenges, and drops used for kids. These are usually prescribed by doctors or dentists to children who live in areas with low fluoride levels in drinking water.
The review is expected to be completed by late October 2025. It is not yet clear whether the FDA will officially ban these supplements or ask companies to withdraw them voluntarily from the market.
Why Are These Products Being Reviewed?
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary explained that fluoride can harm children’s gut bacteria if swallowed regularly. He also cited studies showing a possible link between too much fluoride and lower IQ levels in children.
Although earlier reviews by public health and dental experts did not find serious risks, recent studies have raised new concerns. One U.S. government report in 2023 found that drinking water with more than twice the recommended fluoride level could be linked to lower IQ in children.
What Does Fluoride Do?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fluoride helps protect teeth by replacing minerals lost through daily wear and tear, which helps prevent cavities.
Fluoride is commonly added to public water supplies in the U.S. In areas without it, fluoride supplements are recommended, especially for children between 6 months and 5 years old, based on guidance from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
What Does Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Say?
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been outspoken about fluoride, calling it a “dangerous neurotoxin.” He recently formed a task force to study fluoride and announced plans to stop the CDC from recommending fluoride use.
Kennedy praised the FDA’s decision, saying, “Ending the use of ingestible fluoride is long overdue. This brings us one step closer to delivering on President Trump’s promise to Make America Healthy Again.”
Other States and Actions
In Utah, the first state to ban fluoride in drinking water, officials recently allowed fluoride supplements without prescriptions.
Meanwhile, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into companies like Colgate-Palmolive and Procter & Gamble, accusing them of misleading promotions of fluoride-based toothpastes. His office called the products “deceptive and dangerous.”