The Texas attorney general has launched an investigation into Colgate-Palmolive Co. and Proctor & Gamble Manufacturing Co. for allegedly marketing fluoride toothpaste in a misleading manner that encourages excessive use, posing potential health risks to children. This scrutiny comes amid broader debates over the safety of fluoride, particularly its effects on children's intellectual development, with recent studies prompting federal agencies to re-evaluate their recommendations. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has indicated a move to cease recommending community water fluoridation, a practice historically supported for cavity prevention by health organizations like the CDC and WHO. Utah has already banned fluoride in public drinking water, and Florida is on the brink of doing the same, reflecting a growing trend of cities removing fluoride from their water supplies. A report from the Cochrane Collaboration suggests that the benefits of water fluoridation are minimal, especially since fluoride toothpaste offers significant cavity protection, a point reinforced by the American Dental Association, which continues to support fluoride use in dental products.

The Texas attorney general is investigating major toothpaste manufacturers Colgate-Palmolive and Proctor & Gamble for allegedly deceptive marketing practices that promote excessive and potentially harmful use of fluoride toothpaste among children.

Recent research has raised concerns about the health risks of high fluoride exposure, particularly its potential impact on children's cognitive development, prompting federal agencies to reconsider their guidelines on fluoride use.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to instruct the CDC to halt recommendations for fluoridating community water supplies, reflecting a shift in perspective at the federal level regarding this long-standing public health practice.

In response to growing health concerns, Utah has become the first state to ban fluoride in public drinking water, with Florida expected to follow suit, indicating a broader movement away from water fluoridation in various regions.

The Cochrane Collaboration's recent report questions the effectiveness of water fluoridation in significantly reducing cavities, noting that toothpaste with fluoride has become a more direct and effective source of dental protection since its widespread use began in 1975.

The American Dental Association maintains its endorsement of fluoride in dental products, emphasizing its role in preventing tooth decay and requiring fluoride content for its Seal of Acceptance on toothpaste.

The ongoing investigation and policy shifts highlight a growing debate over the balance between fluoride's dental benefits and potential health risks, with implications for public health recommendations and consumer practices.