"The best way to prevent cavities in children is by avoiding excessive sugar intake and good dental hygiene, not by altering a child's microbiome," FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary, said in the FDA statement announcing the action. "When it comes to children, we should err on the side of safety."

U.S. health officials are announcing an effort to phase out ingestible fluoride supplements used to strengthen children’s teeth, citing possible health risks.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Tuesday it will be moving to take ingestible prescription fluoride products for children off the market, citing concerns that the mineral alters the gut microbiome of children.