How do you store toothpaste long term?

Author: Delaney Kohler  |  Last update: Wednesday, August 6, 2025

It is a good idea to use toothpaste with a flip-top cap, since the cap is easier to keep track of, and it won't fall on the floor and become contaminated. Storing your toothpaste in a cool place, such as your medicine cabinet or a drawer in the bathroom will help maintain its effectiveness.

Can you use 10 year old toothpaste?

Using Expired Toothpaste

The simple answer is yes. Expired toothpaste doesn't harm you but it does lessen in its ability to prevent cavities and tooth decay.

What is the longest shelf life of toothpaste?

How Long Does Toothpaste Last? Oral health professionals recommend two years maximum. This ensures essential fluoride is at an optimal level of stability to renew tooth enamel. Also, after two years, the consistency in the paste's color and taste can change.

What is the proper storing of toothpaste?

Store Toothpaste in a Cool, Dry Place: Keeping your toothpaste in a bathroom cabinet or drawer can protect it from humidity and heat, which can break down the ingredients more quickly. Keep the Cap On Tight: Exposure to air can cause toothpaste to dry out or lose its consistency.

Should you refrigerate toothpaste?

Concerning, refrigerating toothpaste isn't required. Toothpaste ought to be put away in a cool, dry spot, away from direct daylight and outrageous temperatures. Keeping it in the washroom bureau or a comparable area is adequate.

Do Dentures need to be in water over night? Does it really matter?

How to store toothpaste long term?

Storing your toothpaste in a cool place, such as your medicine cabinet or a drawer in the bathroom will help maintain its effectiveness.

Does toothpaste expire if never opened?

Contrary to popular belief, toothpaste is not a non-perishable thing like most people seem to think. Toothpaste typically has an expiration date that is approximately two years from the manufacture date.

How to keep toothpaste fresh?

Though it may be unpleasant to think about, keeping any of your oral products out in the open can expose them to bacteria from your toilet and the bathroom area in general. Finally, store your paste in a cooler environment. At hotter temperatures, ingredients can separate and start to liquefy, becoming less effective.

Should you wet toothpaste before using it?

Are You Supposed to Wet Toothpaste? Wetting your toothbrush before brushing is generally a matter of personal preference. There's some debate about wetting toothpaste before brushing and its effects on efficacy, but the ADA doesn't provide official guidance.

Are there any uses for expired toothpaste?

You could use expired toothpaste to clean scuff marks and crayons off your walls. This will work especially well if your walls are glossy or semi-glossy. You can use an old toothbrush to scrub off the toothpaste, or you can enlist the help of a standard scrub brush.

What is the best toothpaste?

For enamel repair and remineralization, many dentists recommend Boka or RiseWell because of their use of hydroxyapatite. For overall cavity prevention, fluoride toothpastes like Crest or Colgate are still commonly suggested by dentists.

Does shampoo expire?

Shampoo and conditioner can both expire, and when they do, you should avoid using them. Expired shampoo and conditioner can be harmful to your health, and they also may no longer be effective. Once open, most shampoo and conditioner lasts between six months and a year, but unopened bottles can last longer.

Should you not spit out toothpaste?

Spit the toothpaste out but don't rinse with water.

When you brush your teeth, both morning and night, spit but don't rinse. Toothpaste contains fluoride which helps strengthen your teeth. By not rinsing with water, fluoride in the toothpaste will stay on your teeth for longer helping to keep them strong.

Can you donate expired toothpaste?

Donating or continuing to use expired toothpaste isn't the best idea, however don't throw the tube out just yet. Listed below are a couple of useful ways you can recycle expired toothpaste around the home.

How long should a tube of toothpaste last?

Our research indicates that a standard 3 oz (85 grams) tube of toothpaste lasts about two to three months for one person who brushes twice daily, assuming a pea-sized amount is used each time. For a family of four, the same tube might last only a few weeks, depending on brushing habits.

Why shouldn't you rinse toothpaste after brushing?

After brushing, spit out any excess toothpaste. Don't rinse your mouth immediately after brushing, as it'll wash away the concentrated fluoride in the remaining toothpaste. Rinsing dilutes it and reduces its preventative effects.

Is it better to brush your teeth with or without water?

Nigel Carter feels that the most effective application is to not use water at all and use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. As per Dr. Carter, the water weakens the bristles and makes them less effective in cleaning teeth. Moreover, he does recommend brushing for a full two minutes prior to going to bed each night.

Should you rotate toothpaste?

“Switching toothpastes does not really increase its benefits,” said Dr. Sonal Bhoot, a Missouri-based licensed dentist and the founder of Dental Expressions. It's actually the brushing style and tools that matter most.”

Will a soap dispenser work for toothpaste?

No, this will not work with toothpaste. Even to use these electronic dispensers successfully, you must fill with a hand soap or cleanser with the right consistency to avoid gumming them up.

What is hello toothpaste?

hello charcoal teeth whitening toothpaste is fluoride free, vegan, and free from peroxide, SLS/sulfates, artificial sweeteners/flavors, parabens, microbeads, triclosan, and gluten. hello is cruelty free, and not tested on animals (leaping bunny certified). choose friendly!

What preserves toothpaste?

Humectants: The Moisture Retainers

Humectants are ingredients that help retain moisture in toothpaste, preventing it from drying out. Common humectants include glycerin, sorbitol, and propylene glycol. These substances not only improve the texture of toothpaste but also contribute to its shelf life.

Should I throw away expired toothpaste?

Does toothpaste expire? The answer is “yes.” Toothpaste does have a “best by” date when it's the most effective. And if you check a tube of toothpaste and this date has passed, we recommend that you throw it away and replace it with a new tube.

Does bar soap expire?

Most commercially made bar soaps have a shelf life of 2-3 years when stored properly. Over time, bar soap may lose its fragrance, change in color, and become less effective at lathering. Natural or handmade soaps, which often contain fewer preservatives, may have a shorter shelf life of around 1 year.

Does lotion expire?

When it comes to body moisturizer, throw away unfinished containers that have been open for more than two years, regardless of their smell or texture. However, if you're using a lotion on a regular basis, odds are you'll need to replenish it before it expires. Sealed and unopened bottles should be good for three years.

Previous article
What body parts are sensitive to massage?
Next article
What goes on first, primer or concealer?