Legal Actions and Statements
Attorney General announced investigations into and Procter & Gamble for allegedly misusing fluoride in toothpaste, aiming to protect children from overexposure and misleading advertising.
Paxton's investigation follows a trend of scrutiny against fluoride, including a recent ban in and a bill in , amid concerns over its health effects, particularly on children's IQ.
Public Health and Industry Responses
The and the support fluoride for its cavity-fighting benefits, with the former recommending small amounts for children. However, recent studies have raised questions about high fluoride exposure.
Both Colgate and Procter & Gamble have been accused of marketing strategies that encourage excess fluoride ingestion among children, with a study finding parents often overdosing toddlers' toothbrushes.