Most people would never consider eating meat that was past the expiration date. Sure, we all cheat with milk, using our sense of smell and taste to eek out a few more days of milk for our morning cereal. But what about the toothpaste we use? Does it have an expiration date, and is it bad to use toothpaste after it has expired?
All toothpaste that is approved by the American Dental Association (ADA) is required to have an expiration date.1
The ADA seal of acceptance means that the product has passed the ADA’s stringent requirements for product safety and efficacy. Since you should always use toothpaste that has the ADA seal of acceptance, the toothpaste you are using does expire. Further, any toothpaste containing fluoride is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration which requires that the product have an expiration date.
The box that toothpaste is packaged in generally has the expiration date clearly marked on the end flap. The tube of toothpaste generally contains the expiration date on the end opposite the cap. These expiration dates often include the month and year of expiration, for example, DE20, would translate to December 2020, or FE18 would mean February 2018. It is more difficult to decode the expiration dates on some toothpaste. Manufacturers can use a three digit number (from 001 to 365) to refer to the day of the year that the toothpaste was made, sometimes with a digit before the three digit day code which represents the year. Using this coding, a product made on January 1, 2008 would be coded 8001.2
If your toothpaste is expired, as in the case of the tube marked February 2018, you will not get sick if you use the product. Most toothpaste contains a number of active ingredients. The one that affects the expiration date the most is fluoride, as fluoride starts to lose its stability after two years and can break down, decreasing your protection from bacteria-causing decay.3 Other active ingredients in toothpaste include an abrasive, a flavor or sweetening agent, a moisturizing agent, and a detergent.4
Past their expiration date these active ingredients can separate to form crystals.5 It is also important to note that proper storage and handling can play a role in whether your toothpaste is as effective as it was when manufactured. 6 You should keep your toothpaste in a closed cabinet and in a cooler environment, as heat tends to separate and liquefy the ingredients, making them less effective.
When should you absolutely stop using expired toothpaste? The best policy is to toss the toothpaste out once it reaches the expiration date labeled on the product. If you always use non-expired product you are assured you are getting the most bacteria-fighting and cleaning power that the manufacturer has built into the product. It does impact the effectiveness of preventing tooth decay and cavities if you use expired toothpaste over the long term.7
Sedki Dentistry, Commerce MI is a complete family dental clinic that offers services for all dental health concerns. Regular dental checkups and teeth cleanings are highly recommended and routine for good dental health. Our goal is to work with our patients in achieving and maintaining long term dental health and a beautiful smile. Call Sedki Dentistry in Commerce Twp today and schedule a checkup!
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1,3,4,7 Does Toothpaste Expire? Tricia Mool, www.colgate.com,
Link: https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/basics/nutrition-and-oral-health/does-toothpaste-expire-
2, 6 The Truth Behind Expiration Dates, www.berkeleywellness.com
Link: https://www.berkeleywellness.com/healthy-eating/food-safety/article/truth-behind-expiration-dates
5 Does Toothpaste Expire? Jo Humphreys, www.medhealthdaily.com
Link: https://www.medhealthdaily.com/does-toothpaste-expire/