
Fluoride Toothpastes, Mouthwash Marketed to Kids in Dangerous Ways, Lawsuits Say
January 30, 2025 | Source: The New Lede | by Douglas Main
Companies making fluoride-containing toothpastes and mouthrinses are improperly marketing their products as harmless and pleasant-tasting to very young children despite scientific research showing ingestion of the products could be dangerous to their health, according to allegations in a group of proposed class action lawsuits filed earlier this month.
There is a scientific consensus that fluoride primarily acts topically and reduces tooth decay when used properly in toothpaste, but ingestion of concentrated fluoride products can be dangerous across the board — especially for young children.
Many fluoride products lack easy-to-read warning labels and are flavored to taste like fruit or candy, and bear bright colors, cartoon characters, and illustrations of misleadingly large quantities of toothpastes on toothbrushes, according to the lawsuits, which bear many similar claims.