FDA panel weighs ban on fluoride tablets and drops for kids

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it plans to ban fluoride tablets and drops, which have long been prescribed to children in areas where the mineral is not added to drinking water. On Wednesday, July 23, the agency will hold a public meeting featuring a panel of 18 experts, supporters and skeptics to weigh the decision.

Fluoride has long been considered safe and effective at preventing cavities, especially in children, and has been added to drinking water across the United States for decades. However, state and local governments have recently banned, or are considering banning, the practice.

What exactly is fluoride?

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral known for its ability to strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities. It’s an active ingredient in toothpaste and mouthwash, and generally considered safe in small amounts.

Why does the FDA want to ban fluoride tablets and drops?

In May, the FDA announced plans to ban fluoride tablets and drops, saying they have never been approved by the agency.

In its statement, the FDA said unlike toothpaste and mouthwash, fluoride tablets and drops are ingested by children, which could pose a risk to gut microbiomes.

“The best way to prevent cavities in children is by avoiding excessive sugar intake and good dental hygiene, not by altering a child’s microbiome,” FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary said. “For the same reason that fluoride may kill bacteria on teeth, it may also kill intestinal bacteria important for a child’s health.”

The FDA also pointed to studies linking fluoride to thyroid disorders, weight gain and lower IQs.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has voiced support for the ban on tablets and drops, saying it’s “long overdue.”

“I’m grateful to Commissioner Makary for his leadership on this vital issue — one that directly safeguards the health and development of our children. This decision brings us one step closer to delivering on President Trump’s promise to Make America Healthy Again,” Kennedy said.

What do critics say about the potential ban?

Those in favor of using fluoride to protect children’s teeth say the benefits outweigh the possible health impacts. In addition to strengthening tooth enamel and preventing cavities, it reduces the harmful effects of plaque and helps with remineralization, which helps repair teeth in the early stages of decay.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry advises that children between the ages of 6 months and 16 years old use some form of fluoride every day.

When will the FDA make its decision?

The FDA is not expected to make a final decision on whether to ban fluoride tablets and drops until at least October. It set a deadline of Oct. 31 to complete a safety review and allow for a public comment period before taking action.

What about fluoride in drinking water?

Kennedy has been an outspoken critic of adding fluoride to drinking water in the U.S. He has even instructed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to stop recommending fluoride be added to drinking water.

However, Kennedy also acknowledged banning fluoridation will likely lead to “slightly more cavities.”

Two states, Utah and Florida, have banned the addition of fluoride to public water systems. Five more states have legislation in the works to do so: Nebraska, Louisiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

In September, a federal judge ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to strengthen regulations on fluoride in drinking water after the Department of Health and Human Services released a report linking high levels of fluoride exposure to lower IQs.