If the FDA removes fluoride supplements, are there other options to protect teeth? Dentist weighs in

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — On May 7, a law banning fluoride in Utah’s public drinking water went into effect. Less than a week later, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced an effort to phase out ingestible fluoride supplements often used to strengthen children’s teeth.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. previously said that Utah had “emerged as the leader in making America healthy again” with its recent efforts against fluoridation. With additional steps being taken at the federal level to limit fluoride intake, what could that mean for Americans?

ABC4.com spoke with pediatric dentist Dr. Darren Chamberlain — former president of the Utah Dental Association (UDA), and current American Dental Association delegate on the UDA board — about what other options Utahns could have to protect their teeth if ingestible fluoride supplements are withdrawn.

“I guess our only option is fluoridated toothpaste,” Chamberlain said. “Unfortunately, that isn’t quite as effective as small doses of fluoride every day.”

Chamberlain explained that fluoride toothpaste only goes on the “biting surface or outside surface of the teeth,” which is why he has typically prescribed fluoride supplements throughout his 21 years of practicing dentistry.

“Now that that option is being taken away, I’m really, really nervous what we’re going to see coming through my office,” Chamberlain said. “I think we’re going to have a generation of children that are going to be affected and are going to have the detrimental effects of not having fluoride on their teeth…”

The Associated Press reported that the FDA is planning to conduct a scientific review of ingestible fluoride products by the end of October, aiming to ask manufacturers to voluntarily pull their products.

The FDA said the ingestible products that would be reviewed and potentially removed have “never been approved by the FDA.” The AP reports that the FDA’s plan would not affect toothpaste, mouthwash, or dental office fluoride treatments.

The impacts of fluoride

“To be able to get the true effects of fluoride, especially with children — as a pediatric dentist, that’s most of my concern,” Dr. Chamberlain told ABC4.com. “You would have to consume fluoride either in a water supply or through these supplements.”

Chamberlain said fluoride gets incorporated into the teeth and creates a layer that is stronger than the enamel, which can help prevent cavities and make teeth stronger. He said with less access to fluoride, it’s likely that children will be getting more cavities.

“You don’t get the same effect topically as you would systemically from fluoride,” Chamberlain said.

However, he also noted some of the negative effects of fluoride — including fluorosis, which alters the appearance of teeth if they are exposed to too much fluoride while growing in, according to the CDC.

“While dental fluorosis can be moderate or severe, causing extensive enamel changes, in the U.S., dental fluorosis is mostly mild and cosmetic meaning it does not affect tooth function and is not painful,” the CDC explains. “Moderate and severe forms of dental fluorosis are rare.”

Chamberlain said there are other policies that Kennedy has introduced that he agrees with, such as getting rid of ultra-processed foods. He said sugars and carbohydrates can contribute to creating cavities, and getting rid of those could help decrease the need for fluoride.

“Unfortunately, in the world that we live in, the best way to have a healthy smile and healthy teeth is by using fluoride,” Chamberlain said.

The Associated Press and Nick Butts contributed to this report.