Can you use 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. To ensure you get all the benefits of brushing, it's best to use toothpaste that hasn't reached its expiration date.
You can safely use the product, two-years after that official date, but chances are, if you are brushing your teeth twice a day, you will never have to worry about expired toothpaste. The reason why toothpaste has an expiration date is that the fluoride in it becomes less effective and could damage the enamel.
Even toothpaste that does not have an expiry date is not as effective once two years past its manufacture. Since expired toothpaste is not anywhere as effective as recently made tubes, you always want to keep an eye out for the manufacture date when shopping.
The most obvious sign that your toothpaste has expired is when it's past the date printed on the tube. But, you may find that your toothpaste has a foul flavour if it's expired. Any paste that loses its viscosity or potential to foam up should not be used, regardless of the active components.
A shelf life is determined only by the effectiveness of the ingredients in the toothpaste, so there's no direct danger to your health in using a recently expired tube in a pinch. But, it does impact the effectiveness of preventing tooth decay and cavities if you use expired toothpaste over the long term.
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.
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.
Toothpaste Ingredients to Avoid
These include: Triclosan: a pesticide and hormone disruptor. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): an irritant that causes canker sores. Titanium dioxide: classified by the Environmental Working Group as a possible carcinogen.
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.
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.
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.
As long as they remain in their unopened packages, toothbrushes can last just about forever. However, once you start using a toothbrush, it's good to toss it after three or four months of use.
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.
But what do they mean? Sell-By Date: Refers to the last day a retailer can display a product for sale; typically a food is safe to eat for 10 days after the Sell-by Date if refrigerated properly. Use-By Date: Refers to the last day a product will maintain its optimum freshness, flavor, and texture.
Storing your toothpaste in a cool place, such as your medicine cabinet or a drawer in the bathroom will help maintain its effectiveness.
Cocamide DEA is a foam booster that helps the cleaning process. This clear or pale-yellow liquid also stabilizes shampoos and helps control its viscosity (thickness).
To sum up, brushing your teeth when you wake up is better than brushing after breakfast as it protects your tooth enamel more. If you have to brush your teeth after breakfast, wait for 30-60 minutes after eating.
Leaving toothpaste on teeth overnight can have significant implications for oral health, potentially leading to various consequences: Enamel Erosion: Prolonged exposure to toothpaste, particularly those containing abrasives, can contribute to enamel erosion over time, weakening the protective outer layer of the teeth.
The Mayo Clinic recommends using mouthwash after brushing and flossing your teeth. However, the National Health Service (NHS) recommends avoiding mouthwash right after brushing, since this may wash away the fluoride from your toothpaste. Instead, the NHS recommends using mouthwash at a different time of day.
Whitening toothpaste
It can be abrasive. Charcoal toothpaste is among whitening options, but both dentists are concerned about its abrasiveness and impact on tooth enamel. “I don't like charcoal toothpaste,” Quartey says. “I've seen first-hand patients using charcoal toothpaste and brushing away their enamel.”
Does brushing with baking soda damage teeth? Brushing once a day with baking soda or on occasion will not damage the teeth. However, brushing too hard or too often with it can lead to damaged tooth enamel. Some people also mix the baking soda with lemon juice, strawberries or other ingredients to clean the teeth.
According to Consumer Reports, the one ingredient you don't want in your toothpaste is triclosan. If you have an older tube of Colgate Total, it may contain it. If so, toss it. While the antibacterial agent may help prevent gingivitis, experts say it may also have health concerning side effects.
While water doesn't expire, some concerns are associated with its plastic bottles. These vessels can produce health concerns and odd tastes as they degrade over time and microplastics enter the water. Properly storing water in your warehouse, office or facility may help mitigate these risks.
Ultimately, that's your call to make. As a general rule of thumb, expired soap is usually still good to use as long as there are no obvious signs of rancidity (i.e., mold or sliminess) and it produces a frothy white mass of bubbles when being used.
Our liquid & foaming hand soap is dermatologist tested and suitable for sensitive skin, free from SLS/SLES†, silicones, parabens, and phthalates. Plus, Dial® Antibacterial & SensitiveTM hand soaps are hypoallergenic and formulated without dyes.