The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced on Tuesday it is starting the process of removing ingestible fluoride prescription drug products for kids from the market.
The FDA said in a news release it will conduct a scientific review of the children’s products by Oct. 31 with the aim of removing them from the market.
It is not immediately clear whether the agency plans to ban the supplements or request that companies withdraw them.
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that helps strengthen tooth enamel and reduce cavities, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It does this by repairing and preventing damage to teeth caused by bacteria in the mouth that produce acid, which in turn dissolves minerals in a tooth’s surface and can even lead to tooth loss.
Poor oral health has been linked to complications including cardiovascular disease, and experts have told CBS News that preventative care is the best way to keep dental health in check.
But, in the release, the FDA says ingested fluoride has been shown to “alter the gut microbiome,” adding “other studies have suggested an association between fluoride and thyroid disorders, weight gain and possibly decreased IQ.”
In the same release, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. said ending the use of ingestible fluoride is “long overdue.” Kennedy has a long history of questioning fluoride’s safety, claiming it’s linked to a number of health problems.
Dental experts largely disagree.
Dr. Aaron Yancoskie, associate dean of academic affairs at Touro College of Dental Medicine, told “CBS Mornings Plus” in November 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 action against ingestible fluoride comes after Kennedy, in April, called for the end of community water fluoridation, praising Utah’s move to ban the mineral from being added to public water systems.
“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.
Alexander Tin and
The Associated Press
contributed to this report.
Sara Moniuszko is a health and lifestyle reporter at CBSNews.com. Previously, she wrote for USA Today, where she was selected to help launch the newspaper’s wellness vertical. She now covers breaking and trending news for CBS News’ HealthWatch.
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