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 announcement Tuesday is the latest action by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. against a substance that has been a mainstay of dental care for decades. The Food and Drug Administration said it will conduct a scientific review of the products by late October with the aim of removing them from the market. Formally withdrawing medical products requires a lengthy rulemaking process that can take years. Instead, the FDA will ask manufacturers to voluntary pull their products.

Menopause is well-known for causing hot flashes and night sweats for many women. But the list of menopause maladies can also include dental problems. Hormonal changes — mainly a sharp drop in estrogen — can reduce bone density and saliva production and harm your gums. And all of this can affect your teeth. Oral care experts say you can counteract these effects with good oral hygiene, nutrition and hydration. They also suggest doing more frequent dental visits, in-office fluoride treatments, prescription high-fluoride toothpaste and over-the-counter treatments for dry mouth.