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Can toothpaste expire? Yes indeed! Toothpaste is a product with a shelf life. The exact shelf life depends on the brand and ingredients, but most toothpastes have a shelf life of 12 to 18 months after opening.
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It depends a bit on which brand you buy, but every tube either has an expiry date or a shelf life. It may also be that both are listed. For products that need to be used within 30 months (2.5 years) of manufacture without losing their potency for action, an expiry date is mandatory. This can often be recognised on personal care products by the symbol of an hourglass with the date behind it. If a product has an unopened shelf life of more than 2.5 years, it is compulsory to state the use-by date. This use-by period is indicated by a symbol resembling an opened jar. It contains a number and the letter M, indicating how many months the product will keep after opening. When a product is opened, air can get to it, as it can affect its action. In addition, you can touch the tube of toothpaste with your toothbrush, which can spread bacteria in your tube. If you don’t use up the tube quickly enough, this can cause nasty infections.
The shelf life of toothpaste is affected by several factors:
Of course you can still use your toothpaste if it is past its date. But whether the active ingredients like fluoride still work as well then as they did when your tube came fresh off the factory conveyor belt… there’s no way of knowing for sure. And those active ingredients are also a reason to brush your teeth. Indeed, those are often the components that make you choose a particular formula. Tainted toothpaste can contain bacteria that can be harmful to your teeth. Therefore, do not use toothpaste that is past its date or shows signs of decay. Fortunately, with normal use, a tube will be empty before that shelf life expires. You may have a travel tube in your toiletry bag. For weekends away and other sleepovers, so you definitely don’t forget. With these tubes, those months will go by faster than you think. You may not care so much about that reduced activity, but the bacteria that can slowly grow in them… iew!
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You can recognise tainted toothpaste by the following characteristics:
Toothpaste that is past its expiry date can lose its effectiveness. The active ingredients become less effective, potentially reducing your teeth’s protection against cavities. If you use your toothpaste properly, it is not necessarily harmful after the expiry date. However, the active ingredients increasingly lose their effectiveness. As a result, your teeth are no longer optimally protected against cavities. As long as you do not rake the paste out of the tube with your toothbrush, brushing with it once in a while is no problem. But do buy a new one soon. It is much cheaper to throw away a half-full tube of toothpaste than to have a cavity filled by the dentist.
Like all cosmetic products, toothpaste has an expiry date, which means toothpaste can indeed expire. But did you know that toothpaste tablets have a longer shelf life than toothpaste in tubes? That’s because tubes contain quite a lot of liquid, which simply spoils faster than solid tablets. 1 But whatever you choose, there is always a toothpaste that suits you and your teeth. So no reason to use your expired one anymore!
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Related Trusted Sources
1. Creeth J, Bosma ML, Govier K. How much is a 'pea-sized amount'? A study of dentifrice dosing by parents in three countries. Int Dent J. 2013 Dec;63 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):25-30. doi: 10.1111/idj.12074. PMID: 24283281; PMCID: PMC9375012.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9375012/Popular categories
Frequently asked questions
Can toothpaste expire?
Toothpaste can spoil. This is why there is an expiry date (hourglass with date) or expiry period (jar with a number and an M) on the packaging. After this time, the action of the active ingredients decreases.
Can you still use toothpaste that is past its use-by date?
You can still use expired toothpaste. If you have handled it hygienically, it is not harmful. However, the active ingredients are less effective, so it remains to be seen whether it will keep your mouth clean, fresh and healthy.
Trusted Source
Can toothpaste expire? Yes indeed! Toothpaste is a product with a shelf life. The exact shelf life depends on the brand and ingredients, but most toothpastes have a shelf life of 12 to 18 months after opening. [highlight product="5217" voordelen="yes"] <h2><strong>Does toothpaste have an expiry date?</strong></h2> It depends a bit on which brand you buy, but every tube either has an expiry date or a shelf life. It may also be that both are listed. For products that need to be used within 30 months (2.5 years) of manufacture without losing their potency for action, an expiry date is mandatory. This can often be recognised on personal care products by the symbol of an hourglass with the date behind it. If a product has an unopened shelf life of more than 2.5 years, it is compulsory to state the use-by date. This use-by period is indicated by a symbol resembling an opened jar. It contains a number and the letter M, indicating how many months the product will keep after opening. When a product is opened, air can get to it, as it can affect its action. In addition, you can touch the tube of toothpaste with your toothbrush, which can spread bacteria in your tube. If you don't use up the tube quickly enough, this can cause nasty infections. <h2><strong>Why does toothpaste expire?</strong></h2> The shelf life of toothpaste is affected by several factors: <ul> <li><strong>Ingredients</strong>: Toothpaste contains water, preservatives and active ingredients such as fluoride. Water and preservatives can spoil, while active ingredients can lose their effectiveness over time.</li> <li><strong>Storage</strong>: Toothpaste should be stored in a cool, dry place. Heat and moisture can shorten the shelf life.</li> <li><strong>Use</strong>: After opening the tube, toothpaste comes into contact with bacteria from the mouth. These bacteria can attack the toothpaste and cause spoilage.</li> </ul> <h2><strong>Can you still use toothpaste that is past its date?</strong></h2> Of course you can still use your toothpaste if it is past its date. But whether the active ingredients like fluoride still work as well then as they did when your tube came fresh off the factory conveyor belt... there's no way of knowing for sure. And those active ingredients are also a reason to brush your teeth. Indeed, those are often the components that make you choose a particular formula. Tainted toothpaste can contain bacteria that can be harmful to your teeth. Therefore, do not use toothpaste that is past its date or shows signs of decay. Fortunately, with normal use, a tube will be empty before that shelf life expires. You may have a travel tube in your toiletry bag. For weekends away and other sleepovers, so you definitely don't forget. With these tubes, those months will go by faster than you think. You may not care so much about that reduced activity, but the bacteria that can slowly grow in them... iew! <img class="wp-image-8587" src="https://www.fleeck.com/nl/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Tandpasta-tabletten-met-fluoride-kopen-300x300.png" alt="Buy toothpaste tablets with fluoride" width="600" height="600" /> [highlight product="5217" voordelen="no"] <h2><strong>Cognise tainted toothpaste</strong></h2> You can recognise tainted toothpaste by the following characteristics: <ul> <li><strong>Change in colour or texture</strong>: The toothpaste may discolour, thicken or dry out.</li> <li><strong>Odd smell</strong>: The toothpaste may develop an unpleasant odour.</li> <li><strong>Fungus</strong>: In extreme cases, mould may grow on the toothpaste.</li> </ul> <h2><strong>The reduced effectiveness of expired toothpaste</strong></h2> Toothpaste that is past its expiry date can lose its effectiveness. The active ingredients become less effective, potentially reducing your teeth's protection against cavities. If you use your toothpaste properly, it is not necessarily harmful after the expiry date. However, the active ingredients increasingly lose their effectiveness. As a result, your teeth are no longer optimally protected against cavities. As long as you do not rake the paste out of the tube with your toothbrush, brushing with it once in a while is no problem. But do buy a new one soon. It is much cheaper to throw away a half-full tube of toothpaste than to have a cavity filled by the dentist. <h2><strong>Tips for keeping toothpaste last longer</strong></h2> <ul> <li>Store toothpaste in a cool, dry place.</li> <li>Tightly close the cap after use.</li> <li>Use a separate toothbrush for toothpaste that is past its expiry date.</li> <li>Replace toothpaste every 12 to 18 months.</li> </ul> Like all cosmetic products, toothpaste has an expiry date, which means toothpaste can indeed expire. But did you know that toothpaste tablets have a longer shelf life than toothpaste in tubes? That's because tubes contain quite a lot of liquid, which simply spoils faster than solid tablets. [trusted id="1"] But whatever you choose, there is always a toothpaste that suits you and your teeth. So no reason to use your expired one anymore! [highlight product="5217" voordelen="yes"] [highlight product="5305" voordelen="yes"] [highlight product="5213" voordelen="yes"]
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