• The FDA has begun the process to remove ingestible fluoride supplements for children from the market.
• Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. supports the removal, citing potential health risks.
• Fluoride has traditionally been used to strengthen teeth and prevent cavities.
• The decision follows growing scrutiny and state-level bans against fluoride use in public water.
• Dental experts express concerns that the lack of fluoride resources could worsen oral health disparities.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Tuesday that it is initiating a process to remove ingestible fluoride supplements for children from the market. The agency will conduct a scientific review by October 31, looking into potential health risks associated with these products, which have been used to strengthen children's teeth in areas with low fluoride in drinking water, according to CBS News and Newsweek.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been vocal about fluoride, referring to it as a "dangerous neurotoxin" and claiming it can lead to various health issues. Kennedy has stated that "ending the use of ingestible fluoride is long overdue," supporting efforts to phase out these supplements amid growing skepticism about their safety, according to HuffPost and Reuters.

Traditionally, fluoride has been accepted in dental practices for its cavity-preventing properties, replacing lost minerals and strengthening teeth. Organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Dental Association continue to endorse fluoride, asserting that it's essential for dental health. However, recent backlash includes claims that fluoride may alter the gut microbiome and is linked to decreased IQ levels, sparking debate among health professionals about the risks associated with fluoride ingestion as noted in various reports from The New York Times and Reuters.

The FDA aims to remove these supplements amid a broader trend of states banning fluoride entirely from public water supplies, with Utah as the first to implement such legislation. The agency has indicated that the products have "never been approved" and its decision indicates a critical reassessment of fluoride's role in pediatric dental care, as emphasized in reports by HuffPost and Newsweek.