If you’ve ever given your grandchild a fluoride tablet or lozenge prescribed by a dentist, it’s time to take a closer look.

In a dramatic move, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is moving to ban these long-used supplements, citing serious health concerns—including potential links to brain damage, thyroid issues, and disrupted gut health.

This news is shaking the dental and health communities, and it could impact millions of families across the country.

What’s happening and why now?​

For decades, fluoride has been a go-to in dental care. Introduced in public water systems in the 1950s and commonly prescribed in tablet or lozenge form since, fluoride has been championed as a tool to prevent cavities—especially in areas without fluoridated water.

But now, the FDA says it’s time to rethink that advice.

The agency has launched a review process that could ban prescription fluoride tablets and lozenges for children.

Unlike toothpaste or mouthwash, which are applied topically, these supplements are ingested—and that’s where new concerns come in.

What are the risks?​

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, ingesting fluoride may:

• Disrupt the gut microbiome, which plays a key role in immunity and digestion
• Impair brain development in young children
• Increase the risk of thyroid disorders, weight gain, and reduced IQ

Shockingly, these products have never been FDA-approved, despite being widely prescribed for decades.



Also read: Are you drinking toxic water? A top doctor reveals a shocking find in 60% of American homes!

What does the research say?​

The science around fluoride has long been mixed.

• A 2010 American Dental Association (ADA) panel found no major health risks from fluoride supplements when used as directed, though they acknowledged mild cosmetic effects like discoloration or spotting on teeth.
• But more recent studies have found troubling links between excessive fluoride exposure and cognitive effects in children.

With new evidence mounting, FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary said in a statement:

“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.”

He also warned that the same antibacterial effect fluoride has on teeth may disrupt healthy gut bacteria when swallowed.



Also read: Could your tap water be changing? What’s happening with fluoride in Florida could spread

What happens if the ban goes through?​

If approved, the ban would remove fluoride tablets and lozenges from pediatric prescriptions—especially in areas like Utah, where drinking water isn’t fluoridated.

Parents and caregivers would instead be encouraged to:

• Use fluoridated toothpaste (supervised for young children)
• Try fluoride rinses as advised by a dentist
• Focus on healthy eating habits and reduced sugar intake
• Ensure regular dental checkups

The FDA’s final decision is expected by October 31.

This FDA move is part of a larger push from the Department of Health and Human Services, now led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. A longtime critic of fluoride in drinking water, Kennedy has called it a “dangerous neurotoxin.”


He praised the FDA’s announcement, saying:

“Ending the use of ingestible fluoride is 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.”

While the EPA sets fluoride limits in water, decisions about whether to add it are made locally, meaning your city or state controls what comes out of your tap.

This isn’t about fear—it’s about being informed. While fluoride has played an important role in public health, the growing body of research on its systemic effects—especially in children—is raising tough but necessary questions.

Read next: Is fluoride in tap water safe? RFK Jr. raises new questions for the CDC
Have you or your family used fluoride supplements? Have you experienced side effects? Share your experiences, concerns, or questions in the comments below—your voice matters.