Toothpaste expires, but using toothpaste past its expiration date isn't harmful. It just isn't beneficial. That's because the active ingredients become less effective over time. Both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Dental Association (ADA) require toothpaste to have an expiration date.

Is it OK to use toothpaste out of date?

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. To ensure you get all the benefits of brushing, it's best to use toothpaste that hasn't reached its expiration date.

How do you know if toothpaste is expired?

You may notice that when you attempt to squeeze out expired toothpaste, it will separate or it may be much runnier than normal. While you may not notice an odd taste, toothpaste that is well past its expiration will have an odd taste.