Texas AG Ken Paxton targets fluoride in children’s toothpaste amid health concerns

05/07/2025 / By Ava Grace

Texas AG Ken Paxton is investigating Colgate and Procter & Gamble for allegedly deceptive marketing of fluoridated toothpaste to children, citing risks to cognitive development.
While the CDC and ADA endorse fluoride for cavity prevention, a 2024 federal study linked high fluoride exposure to lower IQ scores in children, fueling skepticism.
Paxton accuses companies of using child-friendly flavors and packaging that may encourage swallowing toothpaste, increasing risks of dental fluorosis or acute toxicity.
Colgate and Procter & Gamble deny wrongdoing, stating compliance with FDA guidelines, while the ADA maintains fluoride’s benefits but warns against overuse in kids.
States like Utah have banned water fluoridation, and Florida may follow, reflecting growing opposition amid debates over public health necessity and individual choice.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into two major toothpaste manufacturers — Colgate-Palmolive Company (Colgate) and Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Co. (Procter & Gamble) — accusing them of deceptively marketing fluoridated toothpaste to children.

The move, announced on May 1, aligns with Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again campaign, which seeks to eliminate fluoride from public water supplies. Paxton claims excessive fluoride exposure poses risks to children’s cognitive development, citing a recent federal study linking fluoride to lower IQ scores. The investigation marks a significant escalation in the growing national debate over fluoride’s safety.

The science behind the controversy

Fluoride, a mineral found naturally in soil and water, has been added to toothpaste and public drinking water for decades to prevent cavities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Dental Association (ADA) have long endorsed fluoridation as a public health success. However, recent research has raised concerns. A 2024 meta-analysis by the National Toxicology Program found a statistical link between high fluoride exposure and reduced IQ in children. While the study did not conclude that standard fluoride levels in water (0.7 mg/L) were harmful, it reignited skepticism among critics. (Related: Texas AG Ken Paxton takes on toxic toothpaste: Investigation launched over fluoride risks to children.)

Paxton’s allegations: Deceptive marketing?

Paxton’s office alleges that Colgate and Procter & Gamble use flavors and packaging designed to appeal to children, encouraging them to swallow toothpaste rather than spit it out. The ADA recommends only a pea-sized amount for young children to minimize ingestion risks. Overconsumption can lead to dental fluorosis — a cosmetic discoloration of teeth — or, in extreme cases, acute toxicity. Paxton argues that companies downplay these risks while aggressively marketing bubblegum and fruit-flavored toothpaste to minors.

Corporate pushback and regulatory standards

Both Colgate and Procter & Gamble deny wrongdoing, stating their products comply with FDA guidelines and include clear usage instructions. Colgate emphasized that fluoride toothpaste is safe when used as directed. The ADA also maintains that fluoride is critical for cavity prevention, though it warns against excessive use in young children. The clash highlights a broader tension: while regulators and dental groups defend fluoride’s benefits, skeptics — including Kennedy and Paxton — demand stricter warnings or outright bans.

The bigger picture: A national shift on fluoride?

Texas isn’t alone in reevaluating fluoride. Utah banned it from public water in March and Florida may follow. Some cities have already removed it, citing health concerns and outdated science. A 2023 Cochrane review found fluoride’s cavity-fighting benefits in water were modest, likely because fluoride toothpaste is now widely available. Critics argue that forced mass medication via water fluoridation is unnecessary, while proponents call it a cost-effective way to improve dental health, especially in low-income communities.

A high-stakes health debate

Paxton’s investigation is more than a legal skirmish — it’s a political statement. As he campaigns for U.S. Senate, his stance aligns with a populist wave questioning long-standing public health policies. Whether fluoride is a lifesaver or a hidden hazard remains contentious. But one thing is clear: the days of unchallenged fluoridation may be ending, as science, politics and corporate accountability collide in the fight over children’s health.

Watch an interesting video on the dangers of fluoride in toothpaste.

This video is from the channel The Prisoner on Brighteon.com.