Fluoride supplements neither safe or effective

Jul 25 2011

Sodium fluoride supplements "have not been found by FDA to be safe or effective," according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine's (NLM) website, reports the New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc. (NYSCOF).

Routinely prescribed to children in non-water-fluoridated communities, sometimes even in fluoridated areas, sodium fluoride drops, lozenges and "vitamins" are meant to reduce tooth decay.

Before testing was required, sodium fluoride ingestion slipped into common usage without FDA approval. Now, the FDA is cracking down on unapproved drugs such as sodium fluoride.

The following warning - "Note: This Drug Has Not Been Found by FDA to be Safe and Effective" - is newly included with sodium fluoride drug information meant for ingestion.

Fluoride supplements deliver no benefits to primary teeth but increase dental fluorosis risk - white spotted, yellow, brown and/or pitted teeth, according to a 2008 Journal of the American Dental Association systematic review.

In fact, "In non-fluoridated communities, the use of fluoride supplements during the first 6 years of life is associated with a significant increase in the risk of developing dental fluorosis," concludes a meta-analysis in Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology (2/99).

"It is therefore concluded that the risks of using supplements in infants and young children outweigh the benefits…fluoride supplements should no longer be used for young children in North America," writes Burt (Fall 1999 Journal of Public Health Dentistry.")

Further, Belgium stopped selling fluoride supplements in 2002 because documentation revealed that fluoride can cause physical and neurological harm with little evidence of decay reduction.

According to the NLM, fluoride's side effects could include:

• staining of teeth
• unusual increase in saliva
• salty or soapy taste
• stomach pain
• upset stomach
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• rash
• weakness
• tremor
• seizures

The FDA asks that fluoride drug side effects, including dental fluorosis, be reported at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or [1-800-332-1088].

Freedom of choice governs fluoride supplements but not water fluoridation. Even in small doses injected into drinking water supplies, fluoride can have serious side effects especially to the brain, thyroid, kidney patients and babies. 

"We urge parents to deeply research fluoride supplements and fluoride varnish before dosing their children," says attorney Paul Beeber, NYSCOF President.

"We also urge everyone to contact their legislators and do what it takes to stop the unnecessary force-feeding of fluoride chemicals into their bodies via the public water supplies," says Beeber.

New York City Council Members have introduced such legislation. "NYC residents must show their support by contacting their Council member to support this bill," says Beeber. For more info: http://tinyurl.com/NYCfluoridation.

How Fluoride Supplements Came to be Used

The first human-health fluoride experiment began in 1945 when sodium fluoride was poured into Newburgh, NY's, water supply to learn if fluoride would harm children.

Pre-schoolers, adults and sick children were excluded from examination. Even with this research flaw, after ten years, Newburgh's school-children had more anemia, cortical bone defects and early puberty than never-fluoridated nearby Kingston, NY.  Brain, thyroid effects and cancer rates weren't considered.

Despite these failures, officials prematurely claimed the Kingston/Newburgh study proved water fluoridation was safe and, therefore, assumed fluoride supplements were safe also.