All articles tagged with #fluoride
The Weekender ranks five major public-health missteps under RFK Jr.’s tenure as HHS, from labeling fluoride as ‘industrial waste’ and prompting bans, to a CDC funding pull that coincided with a cyclospora outbreak; it also highlights a review of the abortion pill’s safety, sweeping cuts to vaccine programs, and a sharp rise in preventable diseases like measles, painting a critical picture of RFK Jr.’s impact on public health.
A Phase III trial of 830 children under six with severe early childhood caries found that a 38% silver diamine fluoride liquid applied to affected teeth significantly slowed decay over eight months, with about 50% showing no progression versus 17% on placebo, supporting FDA approval for noninvasive treatment, though it causes permanent tooth darkening and had similar adverse events to placebo.
The Hill reports that the Iran conflict is disrupting the global fluoride supply, prompting U.S. water systems to reduce or halt fluoridation: Maryland’s Baltimore-area systems lowered fluoride from 0.7 mg/L to 0.4 mg/L, and a Pennsylvania town paused fluoridation for weeks. Industry sources cite disrupted supply chains and higher shipping costs, with Israel a minor exporter of fluorosilicic acid; the EPA says it is assisting drinking water systems to address disruptions. About 70% of Americans receive fluoridated water, though there is no federal mandate and some states have moved to limit or ban fluoridation. Comment from major toothpastemakers was not obtained.
A long-term U.S. study using the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study found no association between childhood exposure to community water fluoridation and IQ or cognitive performance from adolescence through age 80, though exposure was estimated by location rather than measured in individuals.
CAW announced it had stopped adding fluoride to Birmingham’s water, but it later emerged that three plants had discontinued fluoridation as early as 2023-2024, with no public notice. The city has sued to resume fluoridation while health groups reiterate its dental benefits and call for transparency.
An uptick in emergency-room visits for nontraumatic dental problems among children is tied to a shortage of pediatric dental care—especially in rural areas—and policy pressures like Medicaid cuts and rising anti-fluoride rhetoric, which threaten access to preventive care. ERs are often unable to provide comprehensive dental treatment, leading to temporary fixes and repeat visits, while states explore workforce and facility investments to improve access and prevent more severe cavities.
A CNN Chasing Life interview with Dr. Kami Hoss argues for a personalized, multi-step oral-health routine beyond fluoride-only guidance: start your day with an alkalizing mouthwash before breakfast, clean the tongue, floss nightly, and brush with fluoride when appropriate, then rinse at night. It also discusses fluoride’s benefits and risks, the potential of nanohydroxyapatite as a remineralizer, and how oral health connects to pregnancy, heart disease, respiratory infections, and overall wellbeing, calling for broader dental–medical education and individualized care.
Dentists say nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste can remineralize enamel, relieve sensitivity, and offer a fluoride-free option, but it's not yet proven to replace fluoride across populations; the ADA still recommends fluoride toothpaste and routine dental care, with n-HAp best suited for low- to moderate-risk patients or as an adjunct in some cases; long-term safety data are limited and more research is needed.
A new analysis of more than 11 million U.S. births found no association between water fluoridation and birth weight or preterm birth, addressing earlier smaller studies that suggested a link. The study did not assess IQ effects, and researchers note that any potential risks appear small at typical public-health fluoride levels, while dental benefits remain a key consideration.
The FDA announced restrictions on prescription fluoride for children, advising that most should avoid ingestible fluoride unless at high risk for tooth decay, citing potential health risks and limited benefits, while stopping short of a complete ban.
The FDA announced actions to restrict the sale of unapproved ingestible fluoride products for children, citing potential health risks and lack of approval, and is working to develop a national oral health strategy.
The article covers various updates on children's health policies, including efforts to restrict junk food in food assistance programs, praise for political support of health initiatives, delays in new dietary guidelines, upcoming educational initiatives on screen time, ongoing FDA efforts to limit food dyes, restructuring of health agencies, and research on fluoride, autism, and vaccine safety, with some controversial viewpoints expressed.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide have developed a sunlight-activated material that can break down harmful PFAS chemicals in water into harmless fluoride, offering a promising low-energy solution for environmental cleanup and water safety.
The U.S. Senate confirmed Susan Monarez as the new CDC director, praising her extensive experience in health innovation and her commitment to science-based decision making, especially on issues like vaccines and fluoride, amid ongoing debates and public health challenges such as measles outbreaks.
RFK Jr. has expressed anti-fluoride views, which could lead to more cavities and dental health issues, especially affecting vulnerable populations. Analyzing his dental health, he appears to maintain decent oral hygiene, but his stance on fluoride raises concerns about public health impacts, particularly for low-income communities. The article highlights the importance of fluoride in preventing dental decay and the potential consequences of banning it.