The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday announced it will begin the process of pulling prescription fluoride drops and tablets for children off the market. The supplements are usually given to kids at high risk for cavities.
The federal government and some state legislatures are increasingly drawing attention to what they claim are the risks associated with fluoride, a mineral that’s been used for decades in community water systems, toothpastes and mouth rinses to prevent tooth decay.
Dentists fiercely contest the notion that the harms of fluoride outweigh the benefits.
This is even more nuts than removing fluoride from municipal water systems. At least with that, parents who believe the science that their kids’ teeth will be better off with targeted fluoride treatment can buy the drops and tablets, and those who are afraid for some reason can choose to just not use it.
This is just trying to ban access to fluoride entirely, despite research showing its benefits and the distinct lack of significant harm. Madness.
What next, are they going to criminalize sending fluoride drops/pills through the mail, like mifepristone?
Calgary, AB Canada removed fluoride and a decade later added it back after seeing the effects of its absence.
They just banned it in Florida, with Meatball DeSatan calling it “forced medication,” and that if parents want their kids to have fluoride, they can give it to them. Now they want to ban those products, too.
So now we’re just going to reconfigure our entire society to indulge the fantasies of conspiracy theory weirdos?
You could make a great movie about the fluoride prohibition of the 2020s.
[Opening shot: A dark, rain-slicked cityscape. Neon signs flicker. A child’s toothbrush lies abandoned in a puddle.]
Narrator (gravelly voice): In a world where fluoride is forbidden…
[Cut to a sleek black SUV speeding through a checkpoint. Inside, a woman in a lab coat loads a capsule into a hidden compartment behind a false toothpaste tube.]
Narrator: …one syndicate dares to keep the smiles alive.
[Cue dramatic music. A warehouse door slams open. Inside: crates of fluoride tablets, glowing faintly blue. Armed guards in dental scrubs patrol the perimeter.]
Agent Plaque (sternly): “They’re dosing kids in back-alley clinics. We need to shut them down—permanently.”
[Montage: high-speed chases through suburban cul-de-sacs, a drone crashing into a jungle gym, a slow-motion shot of a fluoride pill flying through the air and landing in a glass of water.]
The Molar (smirking): “You can take the fluoride out of the pharmacies… but you can’t take the sparkle out of the people.”
[Cue epic music drop. Explosions. A toothbrush sword fight. A child grinning with unnaturally white teeth.]
Narrator: This summer… the fight for dental freedom begins.
FLUORIDE WARS: THE SPARKLE SYNDICATE
Coming soon to a theater near you. Brush responsibly.
You could make a great movie about the fluoride prohibition
We already have one: Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb.
This is just trying to ban access to fluoride entirely
Well yeah. These are extremists, absolutists, radicals. Their dogma must be simple and without exceptions. If they admit even one scenario where fluoride has more benefits than deficits, their whole ideology and worldview crumbles. Nuance is an existential threat.
Narcissism as a fascist dictatorship of a whole country.
The mechanisms of narcissism and of cults are remarkably similar.
At least with that, parents who believe the science that their kids’ teeth will be better off with targeted fluoride treatment can buy the drops and tablets
Explain to me the science of how swallowing fluoride protects teeth.
Fluoride toothpaste is the scientifically valid, topical application method.
Explain to me the science of how swallowing fluoride protects teeth.
Easy, you don’t swallow them.
They’re chewables.
Oh, if the flouride is applied in concentrated manner directly to the teeth in a similar manner to brushing then I have no problem.
The tablets get chewed before they are swallowed.
Oh, if the flouride is applied in concentrated manner directly to the teeth in a similar manner to brushing then I have no problem.
I do not assert that merely swallowing water with fluoride offers any benefit to do with dental health.
It should be obvious that the act of directly swallowing water containing fluoride would give the water little to no opportunity to interact with one’s teeth, which would be required for the intended preventative effect.
This is very similar to the decision by most nations to put low base levels of iodine in table salt. Given peoples’ daily habits and diet, it was determined to be a safe and reliable way of ensuring exposure to a needed substance for general health. Not everyone has or will have the discipline to apply fluoridated paste to their teeth regularly (hell, many people don’t even brush their teeth regularly!). Nor would many people take steps to ensure they had a recommended dose of iodine if they had to think about it, rather than just getting it through their daily meal …
It should be clear to anyone that it’s the incidental daily, weekly, monthly, yearly cumulative effect of fluoridated water, even in the brief interval before it is swallowed, swishing in the mouth and in direct contact with teeth, that can be of benefit.
Explain to me the science of how municipal fluoridation causes health issues so severe that it should be discontinued.
Explain to me the science of how municipal fluoridation
I’ve never mentioned anything about municipal fluoridation. You are reacting in a knee jersey fashion to the word fluoride.
I’m saying there is no point buying fluoride tablets for personal/household use because it’s much better to enforce use of fluoride toothpaste. There is no reason for the tablets to be on general sale.
They’re not on general sale, they’re prescription. I’ve never been recommended these as a kid or as a parent (for my kids) and this is the first I’ve heard they even existed. They must be uncommon at best.
I see you haven’t interacted with many kids with special needs. Not everything in life can be easily “enforced” for everyone.
Also watch them ban fluoride toothpaste next.
Sure. Niche cases exist. Prescriptions are still fine.
But the average person should not be adding flouride to their water. They should brushing their teeth.
watch them ban fluoride toothpaste next.
That would be indefensible.
Prescriptions are still fine.
This article is about the FDA pulling approval from prescription fluoride. Reading comprehension is hard, I know.
The best way to prevent cavities in children is by avoiding excessive sugar intake and good dental hygiene
It’s not hard to stick a toothbrush into a toddlers mouth. You don’t need a prescription.
“Well I sort of agree with my flawed understanding of what they’re doing so it must be fine.”
We’ve already played this game with abortion. Stop justifying insanity.
Do you really believe they will have fluoride prescriptions?
Edit: from the article: will begin the process of pulling prescription fluoride drops and tablets for children off the market.
Mentally disabled people may need prescription flouride, but children don’t. They need flouride toothpaste and a toothbrush.
Having fluoride in the water means that you are constantly maintaining a level of fluoride in your saliva which then integrates with the surface layer of your teeth throughout the day as you drink water. If you limit it to just toothpaste then that function only occurs for the small amount of time following brushing your teeth.
If you want fluoride in your saliva then you put it there using toothpaste you don’t dilute it around the rest of the body mass and hope that enough makes it to the saliva glands.
Swallowing fluoride is homeopathic dentistry.
What? Dilute to rest of the body mass? Don’t think u understand how this works…
If you swallow flouride, only a tiny percent is going to enter your saliva.
Jfc, multiple studies have shown that increased flouride in drinking water decreases the number of caries in the populations teeth. Its not homeopathic, if it was you wouldn’t even be talking about it because the levels wouldnt be testable. It’s not the ingestion that matters, its having the appropriate level of fluoride in the thing you put in your mouth all day every day that keeps the levels up in your mouth so your teeth keep absorbing it. The benefits of improved population dental health far outweigh the public monetary cost of doing it and the personal health cost to you, a person who brushes your teeth, which is zero.
multiple studies have shown that increased flouride in drinking water decreases the number of caries in the populations teeth. Its not homeopathic, if it was you wouldn’t even be talking about it because the levels wouldnt be testable.
You are repeating soundbites without engaging your brain. We are discussing the scientific merits of flouride tablets. Not the general water supply.
It’s not the ingestion that matters, its having the appropriate level of fluoride in the thing you put in your mouth all day every day that keeps the levels up in your mouth so your teeth keep absorbing it.
Exactly. If you care about yourself or kids having flouride, you brush your teeth with flouride toothpaste. Then you don’t need to swallow flouride in the hope that enough is excreted through the saliva.
The benefits of improved population dental health far outweigh the public monetary cost of doing it
Off topic. Think before you repeat.
Luckily one of my friends has already been down the ridiculous path you’re travelling, so I’ve had the opportunity to spend quite a lot of time reading studies relating to this subject. I’m all good on the topic of water flouridation and dental hygiene thanks.
The mechanism for preventing caries via fluoridated water is the same whether the water is treated by a municipality or treated at home. It is proven effective. Your tips on brushing are great, but they are only effective for the 2 to 3 half hour periods following that brushing. Fluoridated water prevents caries, that is a fact. So why rob yourself of a safety net for good dental hygiene?
So as much as I ‘loved’ watching my friend descend into madness with anti fluoridation nonsense, I’ve had my fill. You asked for the scientific backed mechanism for how fluoridated water helps prevent caries, and I provided that. You clearly didn’t actually want that, so I’m done here. Have fun bud.
It is proven effective.
In the absence of brushing. Topical application of fluoride via toothpaste and toothbrush is more effective and removes the need to personally add fluoride to water.
Your tips on brushing are great, but they are only effective for the 2 to 3 half hour periods following that brushing.
So brush after eating and don’t snack on sugary foods and drinks. Your teeth don’t need to be constantly bathed in fluoride.
Fluoridated water prevents caries, that is a fact. So why rob yourself of a safety net for good dental hygiene?
Because if you brush your teeth with flouride toothpaste you already have a safety net. You don’t need two safety nets.
You asked for the scientific backed mechanism for how fluoridated water helps prevent caries, and I provided that.
I asked how swallowing flouride helps teeth and got a ridiculous answer about how it returns in the saliva.
If you brush with flouride toothpaste, you don’t need your own personal flouride supplements.
then you put it there using toothpaste
You’d be astonished how many people don’t brush their teeth, so…
So you think people are better with the option of buying flouride tablets instead of flouride toothpaste?
No I think they should just flourinate the water
Well really people should brush their teeth but also since people won’t - including parents who won’t make their kids do it, and that’s not their fault. So flourinate the water.
They? These tablets are for personal use.
Anyone caring enough to do this should be brushing their teeth with flouride instead.
RFK Jr. strikes again. I’ll never understand why people like him can’t grasp the idea that the difference between medicine and poison is often dosage.
The amount of fluoride in these tablets is nowhere near unsafe levels. It’s not even close.
Because understanding that would mean his heroin addiction was his own fault, not the heroin’s fault.
He literally doesn’t believe in germ theory.
And I don’t mean ‘literally’ as in ‘figuratively’. He genuinely doesn’t believe in the most basic element of modern health and medicine.
You can’t expect him to then grasp something as nuanced as dosage.
Dude took his grandkids swimming in a sewage infested waterway… I mean, you expect someone like that to have even the loosest grasp of anything resembling nuance?
I really hope an amoeba finishes what the worm started.
That poor worm clearly starved to death
Water isn’t warm enough for them yet
So - this started as a John Bircher thing right?
I’ve just been befuddled at the purpose and the point of this conspiracy theory. I guess Alex Jones’s dad is a dentist (and a Bircher) but I doubt that dentists conspire for us to have bad teeth.
Just generic “I don’t like the gubmit”? Was it a Jewish person who suggested that we improve dental health on a population level? What’s the initial bit of skin or hair that this stupid booger coalesced around?
I guess these weirdos have always been around. We just didn’t put them in charge of health.
I doubt that dentists conspire for us to have bad teeth.
People with bad teeth is literally their main revenue stream?! I wouldn’t put it past them.
They try to make Americans weak, sick, and dead on all fronts. As of the US government was under control of a hostile country.
If Trump is a Russian sabatour he’s doing a fantastic job.
if you visit any of the reviews of FLOURIDE-free toothpaste, you can tell at least some of them have reported cavaties.
I once tried brushing my teeth with baking soda instead of toothpaste for a few weeks. From what I understand, they have about the same level of abrasiveness, so they should be about as good at scrubbing the gunk out of your teeth. The key difference is that toothpaste has fluoride in it. After a while I started having pain/irritation in my mouth and gums. It went away when I went back to toothpaste. So if anyone was looking for anecdotal evidence of fluoride being good for your teeth, there you go.
I brush with Nano-hydroxyapitite for like 3 weeks and then do flouride for a couple weeks. I don’t think results happen that quickly.
This is anecdotal evidence of baking soda bad and flouride indifferent.
Oh, cute.
I commented before that one can get 5 gallon bottled fluoridated water, and would like to again point that out. The fluoride may not be as concentrated as in these prescription-level things, but it’s available. Can throw it on a water cooler.
Brick-and-mortar pickup:
https://www.arrowheadwater.com/products/where-to-buy
Delivery:
It looks like there are also some other brands, like Ozarka, but Arrowhead’s what I’ve used.
Why do that when you can get prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste from your dentist if you are concerned about your teeth? Your dentist will be able to tell if you need it or not. You could also look into varnishes and having custom trays made for your teeth that you leave in overnight to remineralize.
Even regular OTC toothpaste is sufficient with proper application, a proper oral care regiment, and regular interventions from the dentist (e.g. cleanings every 6 months).
Fluoride’s remineralization benefits are topical. Brush, spit excess, and leave toothpaste on 30 minutes before rinsing. Do not drink or eat anything during that period.
Brush as directed, but at least two times a day. Proper flossing is critical as well. Do not leave acids on your teeth without rinsing with water and do not let plaque develop and stay on your teeth for extended periods, otherwise it hardens into tartar and can’t be removed at home.
Obviously certain foods are better for your teeth than others. Grazing/snacking habits can potentially harm your teeth as well. Xylitol mints are a good thing to have during periods where you can’t brush. I suggest rinsing with water after consuming food, and especially rinsing after consuming acidic or sugary drinks, no matter where you are.
Because children have teeth that aren’t exposed to topical fluoride.
Their future adult teeth, growing under their gums, in their jaws.
The only way to build them strong is from the inside out, by getting fluoride into the children’s systems.
Calcium makes teeth strong. Fluoride prevents cavities.
The human body is able to produce strong teeth and enamel unassisted, our diets and habits do the damage. The body is unable to repair the damaged enamel without topical solutions.
If you have a young child where topical fluoride is unadvised, consider nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste, especially if they know how to spit out. I like Fygg’s brand, it’s made by dentists and the studies are promising. nano-HAp remineralization is less resistant to acid, so please consider fluoride as soon as possible.
As always, consult with a dentist and get their advice before doing anything with your children’s teeth — including having regular check-ups with them.
Maintaining systemic fluoride during development does seem attractive to develop tooth structure that is more resistant to acid throughout. However, I believe establishing and maintaining consistent care with dentists and developing solid oral health routines and diet practices, as early in life as possible, are all necessary steps to take and are more than sufficient.
Enamel damage and tooth decay doesn’t magically happen, and education lasts for a lifetime.
Because young children have teeth that aren’t exposed to topical fluoride.
Their future adult teeth, growing under their gums, in their jaws.
The only way to build them strong is from the inside out, by getting fluoride into the children’s systems.
Silk Road for fluoride, got it.
This is all so fucking stupid!
Flouride provides unarguable protection from cavities. To do so it needs to come into contact with teeth.
Flouride also (very likely) has brain health implications. So you should not swallow it.
Obvious solution! : what every dentist already does, swish some flouride or hold it against your teeth, then spit it all out.
Our politicians who want to put it in, and keep it in the water can go right to hell for brain poisoning our youth.
It has brain health implications when ingested at levels way above the standard levels used in virtually all water systems in the United States. Stop spreading bullshit. The only evidence of negative health effects from fluoride is based on studies where people were exposed to over 2x the levels of fluoride in municipal water
And pretty much every study to this effect is correlative. No sane doctor or scientist is going to make kids OD on flouride to see if they go stupid or not.
Flouridated water in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the US, and many, many more places is 150% SAFE to drink. Curiousaur is just a nutjob.
I am unsure about the other countries, but US tapwater (even well water) is very likely unsafe to drink unfiltered in many areas.
e.g. PFAS contamination is prolific and remediation is only beginning — very few chemicals are monitored or are able to be monitored.
https://www.ewg.org/interactive-maps/pfas_contamination/map/
