FDA to Review and Possibly Ban Fluoride Supplements for Kids

Key TakeawaysThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration plans to review ingestible fluoride supplements for kidsThe review will be conducted by the end of OctoberThe FDA review follows U.S. Health Secretary RFK Jr.’s call to stop adding fluoride to public water systems.WEDNESDAY, May 14, 2025 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plans to review and possibly remove prescription fluoride supplements for children from the market.The FDA announced Tuesday that it intends to conduct the review by Oct. 31, 2025. The agency has not yet said if it will ban the products or ask companies to stop selling them, CBS News reported.Fluoride is a mineral that makes tooth enamel stronger and reduces cavities, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).It helps prevent and repair damage caused by bacteria that create acids in the mouth, which can lead to tooth decay and even tooth loss.Poor dental health has been linked to other health problems, including heart disease. Experts told CBS News that regular dental care and good oral hygiene are the best ways to prevent cavities.However, the FDA said in its news release that ingesting fluoride may "alter the gut microbiome," adding that "other studies have suggested an association between fluoride and thyroid disorders, weight gain and possibly decreased IQ."U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. called the review of fluoride supplements "long overdue." He has previously raised concerns about fluoride's safety, saying it could cause health problems.Many dental experts disagree. Dr. Aaron Yancoskie, associate dean at Touro College of Dental Medicine in Hawthorne, N.Y., said in an interview with CBS News last November that there is "excellent, solid data going back 75 years, showing that fluoride is both safe and it's extremely effective at decreasing dental decay, that is, cavities, by strengthening the enamel of our teeth."The FDA's review follows Kennedy’s recent call to end the addition of fluoride to public water systems. He praised Utah for being the first state to do so."It makes no sense to have it in our water supply. And I'm very, very proud of this state for being the first state to ban it. And I hope many more will come," Kennedy told reporters in Utah, CBS News said.More informationJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health has more on why fluoride is in water.SOURCE: CBS News, May 13, 2025.What This Means For YouThe FDA is reviewing the safety of children's fluoride supplements..Sign up for our weekly HealthDay newsletter