DOES TOOTHPASTE EXPIRE
- Toothpaste Shelf Life
- From Jar to Tube
- Using Expired Toothpaste
Brushing our teeth is crucial to our oral hygiene, but does toothpaste expire and what are the risks of using expired toothpaste?
Toothpaste Shelf Life
Toothpaste does expire, even if its unopened, but the expiration date is required primarily for the effectiveness of the ingredients found in each individual tube. Typically, toothpaste has a shelf life of two years from the date of manufacture which you can find printed at the end of the tube. This is primarily aimed at toothpastes containing fluoride, since it is the primary ingredient in preventing cavities and strengthening weakened enamel.
From Jar to Tube
Believe it or not, toothpaste used to contain soap up until the 1850's. It also used to be packaged in jars until the 1890’s. This transition from the jar to the tube may actually have helped lengthen toothpaste's shelf life.
Using Expired Toothpaste
Can you use expired toothpaste? The simple answer is yes. Expired toothpaste will lose its flavor and potentially lessen in its ability to prevent cavities and tooth decay.
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