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RFK Jr. calls for end of fluoride in water
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says he plans to direct the CDC to stop recommending fluoride in public water supplies. LiveNOW's Christina Evans breaks it down with the Howard Pollick, Director of Dental Public Health Residency at UC San Francisco.
The Food and Drug Administration said Friday it is restricting the use of fluoride supplements used to strengthen children’s teeth.
Here’s what to know about fluoride and the FDA’s changes:
What is fluoride?
Big picture view:
Fluoride strengthens teeth and reduces cavities by replacing minerals lost during normal wear and tear, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 1962, the agency set guidelines for how much should be added to water.
Fluoride tablets and lozenges are sometimes recommended for children and teens at increased risk of tooth decay or cavities because of low fluoride in their local drinking water. Companies also sell drops for babies.
FILE - A child showing his teeth because he has lost a tooth. Getty Images
FDA fluoride changes
What they're saying:
The FDA said fluoride products are no longer recommended for children younger than 3 and those who are older but don't face serious risks of tooth decay.
Dig deeper:
The FDA released a new scientific analysis Friday, concluding that fluoride supplements have limited benefits for children's teeth and may be linked to emerging safety concerns, including gut issues, weight gain and cognition.
"For the same reason fluoride may work to kill bacteria on teeth, it may also alter the gut microbiome, which may have broader health implications," the agency said in a statement.
Previously:
The products have been prescribed for children as young as six months.
The other side:
The claims made Friday by the FDA have been disputed by the American Dental Association, which has said there are no significant health problems associated with fluoride when used at the levels prescribed by dentists. The supplements can cause spotting or discoloration of teeth due to the extra fluoride, a downside the FDA also noted.
Dentists have warned that restricting fluoride supplements may result in more cavities and dental problems in rural communities, which are less likely to have fluoridated water.
Of note:
The agency’s actions don't affect toothpastes, mouthwash or fluoride treatments used by adults or those offered in dentists’ offices.
RELATED: RFK Jr. says fluoride will be removed from drinking water if Trump wins
RFK ‘Fluoride neurotoxin’
Big picture view:
The fluoride change is the latest action by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his deputies.
What they're saying:
Kennedy, a former environmental lawyer, has called fluoride a "dangerous neurotoxin" tied to a range of health dangers.
During the 2024 election cycle, he said he would push to remove fluoride from drinking water if he was part of a new Trump administration.
The Source: Information in this article was taken from an Oct. 31, 2025, FDA news release. Background information was taken from The Associated Press and previous FOX Television Station reporting. This story was reported from Detroit.