FDA takes historic step to ban ingestible fluoride for kids amid gut health and IQ concerns

• The FDA will remove prescription fluoride drops and tablets for children due to risks to gut health, thyroid function, and cognitive development.
• Growing evidence links systemic fluoride exposure to lower IQ, microbiome disruption, and chronic health issues, prompting state bans on water fluoridation.
• FDA Commissioner Marty Makary warns ingested fluoride may harm gut bacteria, immune function, and brain health, unlike topical fluoride in toothpaste.
• States like Utah and Florida are leading efforts to end water fluoridation, with critics calling it forced medication without proven systemic benefits.
• The FDA’s decision reflects a shift toward microbiome-conscious health, emphasizing diet and hygiene over chemical-based cavity prevention.

In a landmark decision, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today that it will remove prescription fluoride drops and tablets for children from the market, citing risks to gut health, thyroid function, and even cognitive development.

The move aligns with a growing backlash against systemic fluoride exposure, fueled by studies linking it to reduced IQ and disruptions to the microbiome—a critical factor in immunity and overall health.

With states like Utah and Florida already banning water fluoridation, and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. calling the mineral “industrial waste,” the FDA’s action marks a turning point in public health policy.

The science behind the ban

The FDA’s decision targets concentrated fluoride products designed to be swallowed by infants and toddlers, which Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., emphasized have “never been approved” by the agency. Unlike topical fluoride in toothpaste or rinses, ingested fluoride may harm the delicate balance of gut bacteria, which plays a vital role in digestion, immune function, and even brain health.

“For the same reason that fluoride may kill bacteria on teeth, it may also kill intestinal bacteria important for a child’s health,” Makary stated. The agency also flagged studies suggesting associations between fluoride and thyroid disorders, weight gain, and “possibly decreased IQ.”

A 2024 National Toxicology Program report found that exposure to fluoride levels exceeding CDC guidelines correlated with lower IQ scores in children across multiple countries. While dental groups have long defended fluoride’s cavity-fighting benefits, the FDA now argues that proper hygiene and reduced sugar intake—not systemic fluoride—are the safest ways to protect teeth.

States leading the charge against fluoridation

The FDA’s move follows a wave of state-level actions to eliminate fluoride from public water supplies. Utah became the first state to ban the practice outright, while Florida and others are reconsidering decades-old policies. Kennedy, a vocal critic, praised the FDA’s decision as “long overdue” and tied it to the Trump administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative. Critics of water fluoridation argue that it amounts to mass medication without consent, particularly since the CDC admits fluoride primarily works topically, not when ingested.

Dental professionals remain divided. Some, like North Carolina pediatric dentist Dr. Meg Lochary, lament the loss of fluoride supplements for high-risk patients, calling the FDA’s action “ridiculous” and unscientific. Yet the agency insists the risks outweigh unproven benefits. “When it comes to children, we should err on the side of safety,” Makary said.

A shift toward microbiome-conscious health

The FDA’s focus on gut health reflects broader trends in medicine, with research increasingly tying microbiome disruptions to chronic diseases, obesity, and neurological conditions. By October 31, the agency will complete its review and determine whether to mandate a full ban or voluntary recalls. Meanwhile, HHS plans to issue new guidelines promoting non-fluoride cavity prevention, such as dietary changes and improved oral care.

As the debate rages, it is becoming apparent that the era of indiscriminate fluoride use is ending. With Europe and much of the world already rejecting water fluoridation, the U.S. may finally be catching up, prioritizing children’s long-term health over outdated dental dogma.

The FDA’s bold stance against ingestible fluoride signals a seismic shift in public health priorities, placing gut integrity and cognitive safety above unproven dental benefits. As states abandon fluoridation and parents seek safer alternatives, it is important to understand that true prevention starts with holistic care, not chemicals. The days of swallowing fluoride are numbered—and not a moment too soon.

Sources for this article include:

FDA.gov

NBCNews.com

APNews.com