FDA moves to ban fluoride tablets for children over health concerns

(TNND) — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has initiated steps to ban prescription fluoride tablets and lozenges for children, aiming to enhance safety for children and families. This move, reported by The Daily Mail, began on Tuesday.

The decision follows a government report led by Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which indicated that ingested fluoride could alter the gut microbiome.

The report also highlighted potential risks of high fluoride levels, including harm to brain development, thyroid disorders, weight gain, and decreased intelligence.

In a press release, FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary emphasized the importance of dental hygiene and diet over fluoride ingestion. "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," said Dr. Makary. He added, "For the same reason that fluoride may kill bacteria on teeth, it may also kill intestinal bacteria important for a child's health."

Previous studies had not identified any serious health risks associated with these products in adults or children.