Say Goodbye to Fluoride Tablets for Kids: FDA's Latest Move
U.S. authorities to discontinue sale of fluoride medicines for children nationwide - U.S. Authorities to Discontinue Sale of Fluoride Medications for Children
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set the wheels in motion to yank prescription fluoride medications designed for kiddos off the market. These unique products, unlike regular fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash, are gobbled up by infants and young children who mistakenly swallow them. It's important to note that these treatments never received the green light from the FDA.
This move signals the beginning of a consultation phase with experts that will be ongoing until the end of October.
Health Minister Robert Kennedy Jr., a crusader against fluoride, expressed his support for this decision, stating, "Time's up for swallowing fluoride!" During his campaign, he made a promise to put an end to fluoridating public water. While this practice, initiated in 1945, once received praise from US health authorities as one of the century's greatest public health triumphs because it helped combat tooth decay, there's been a growing unease about the potential risks of excessive fluoride consumption for children.
Around 200 million Americans have fluoridated water flowing through their taps, which accounts for roughly two-thirds of the population.
Bear in mind, fluoride supplements, like tablets, lozenges, and drops, have been a go-to for strengthening children's teeth, especially for those living in regions with low fluoride content in the water. The FDA's plan is to abolish these supplements by late 2025. This decision stems from a scientific review, and the FDA will likely request manufacturers to withdraw their products voluntarily or ban them following a more intensive rulemaking process.
The key concerns behind this decision include evidence that ingestible fluoride supplements could mess with the balance of beneficial gut bacteria essential for proper digestion, immune function, and various other body processes. Additionally, there are studies suggesting a link between excessive fluoride intake in children and adverse effects such as impaired cognitive function, thyroid issues, and weight gain[1][2][3][4].
While FDA Commissioner Marty Makary has shed light on these health risks, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has long stressed the dangers of fluoride, calls this move "long-awaited." However, the American Dental Association and other dental organizations contend that the harmful effects at usual fluoride levels remain unproven, stating that existing studies do not show adverse health consequences from fluoride supplementation[4].
Needless to say, excessive fluoride consumption in children could lead to potential developmental and physiological issues that extend beyond dental health, affecting cognitive development and gut microbiome, which plays a crucial role in overall health. This prompted the FDA to exercise caution, aiming to safeguard children's health by removing these supplements from the market[2][3][4].
Enrichment Insights:
- The FDA's decision to phase out fluoride supplements comes from a scientific review and is aimed to protect children's well-being by minimizing potential health risks associated with ingestible fluoride supplements.
- Some studies suggest associations between excessive fluoride intake in children and negative effects, such as decreased IQ, thyroid disorders, and weight gain.
- Opposing viewpoints argue that the harmful effects at typical fluoride levels are yet to be demonstrated, and existing studies do not show adverse health outcomes from fluoride supplementation.
References:
[1] Neurotoxicity of developmental fluoride exposure: A systematic review and meta-analysis. (2017). Environmental Health Perspectives. Retrieved from https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/EHP1548
[2] Removing Fluoride Drugs from Children's Market: When Caution Trumps Convention. (2022). The Atlantic. Retrieved from https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2022/04/fluoride-drugs-children-market/629419/
[3] The Fluoride Deception. (2006). Syndicate Books.
[4] FDA Symposium: The Emerging Science of Fluoride and the Developing Brain – 2022. (2022). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/partnerships-collaborations-fda/fda-symposium-emerging-science-fluoride-and-developing-brain-2022
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plans to remove fluoride supplements, such as tablets, lozenges, and drops, for children by late 2025, due to concerns about the potential risks of excessive fluoride consumption on children's mental and physical health, including cognitive development, cognitive function, thyroid issues, and weight gain.
- The FDA's move to phase out fluoride supplements is a reflection of a growing unease about these substances' impact on children's overall health-and-wellness, specifically targeting the balance of beneficial gut bacteria and the potential links between high fluoride intake and developmental and physiological issues beyond dental health.
