FDA Fluoride Ban Proposal Stuns dentist and scientists amid health concerns

HEALTH:

A long -term dental therapy aimed at preventing children in children can soon disappear from the US market, as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is moving to eliminate fluoride supplements in relation to safety concerns.

The Agency announced on May 13 that it intends to abolish tablets and fluorescent drops, reporting possible connections to spoiled bowel bacteria, thyroid disorders and reduced IQ. The decision does not affect fluoride in toothpaste, gels or oral solutions.

“The best way to prevent cavities in children is to avoid excessive sugar intake and good dental hygiene, not by changing the germ of a child,” said FDA Commissioner Martin Makary, who directs the body to review the risks of these supplements.

The announcement has sparked rapid criticism by dental professionals and scientists, who argue that FDA concerns are based on weak and irrelevant studies.

They warn that the movement could deepen existing inequalities in the field of oral health, especially in rural areas where fluoridated water is not available.

“It’s a complete mystery to me because they think this is a suitable way to make American public hygiene,” said Scott Tomar, a dentist and epidemiologist at the University of Illinois Chicago. “The decision is based on some of the most intense elements I’ve seen.”

Tomar noted that fluoride supplements have been prescribed for decades with proven success in reducing teeth decay.

He also questioned the relevance of the studies mentioned by the FDA, many of which include communities in agricultural China exposed to extremely high levels of coal burning and infected water that does not exist in the United States.

The American Dental Union also pushed, saying that the reported research does not support the ban on fluoride at levels prescribed today.

“A review of the studies offered does not actually prove any harmful results,” the Union said in a statement.

Even the scientists who participated in the reported FDA studies were surprised by the decision.

“There is no convincing evidence to support an attitude that the use of fluoride in childhood has a detrimental effect on the development of germs,” ​​said Trinity College Dublin’s microbiologist Gary Moran.

Meanwhile, states such as Florida and Utah have moved to prohibit the addition of fluoride to public water systems, further reducing access.

Health experts warn that the elimination of fluoride supplements will remove a critical line of defense for children in unbearable areas.

Fluoride supplements, available as drops or tablets, have long been prescribed to children living in areas where water supplies do not have fluoridation. The goal is to prevent cavities imitating the protective benefits of fluorid drinking water, SCOTT Tomar said

“The dosage ranges from 0.25 to 1 mm, depending on the child’s age,” Tomar explained. “It is comparable to what children would naturally consume if they drank water containing 0.7 milligrams per liter of fluoride.”

Caroline Orr, a microbiologist at Teesside University, described the benefits of fluoride as “proven”, pointing to his role in the mixing of teeth enamel, reversal of early decay and disorder of harmful bacteria. “Strengthens teeth and reduces the cavities,” he said.

Despite the long -term advantages, the FDA has marked plans to remove fluoride supplements for children, referring to their concerns about their impact on gut microbial, IQ, thyroid function and even weight gain.

Tomar criticizes the evidence used to justify the decision. “Most of the literature mentioned by the FDA is of low quality and high risk of bias,” he said.

“Strong studies from countries such as Denmark, Australia, Spain and Sweden show no links to IQ or neurodevelopmental development.”

“The thyroid category has no significant scientific support,” Tomar said. “As for weight gain, this is a new and unsupported claim.”

“Science is not there,” he added. “These claims are not young and have failed firmly under control.