Featured in Newsweek: Dr Keely Thorne Explains What Happens When Toothpaste Expires

Featured in Newsweek

Dr Keely Thorne, Principal Dentist at The Dental Barns in Lichfield, was featured in Newsweek in January 2026 after a photograph of a tube of toothpaste dating back to 1988 went viral online.

The story raised a surprisingly useful dental-health question: does toothpaste really expire, and what happens if you keep using it?

Does Toothpaste Really Expire?

Yes. Toothpaste does not suddenly become dangerous the day after its expiry date, but its ingredients are not designed to remain stable indefinitely.

As Keely explained to Newsweek, the bigger concern with very old toothpaste is effectiveness. People use toothpaste expecting it to help protect their teeth from decay, and after many years there is no sensible reason to assume it is still providing the same level of protection as an in-date product.

“Toothpaste doesn’t suddenly become harmful once it’s past its expiry date, but over long periods of time the ingredients can break down.”

What Happens to Fluoride Over Time?

Fluoride is included in toothpaste to help strengthen enamel and reduce the risk of tooth decay. With a product that is decades out of date, however, the stability and activity of that fluoride cannot simply be assumed.

Keely told Newsweek that after nearly 40 years, a toothpaste is very unlikely to be offering the level of protection someone would expect from a modern, in-date formulation.

That is why the practical advice is straightforward: if a toothpaste is significantly past its expiry date, replace it rather than relying on it.

Modern Toothpaste Has Changed

Toothpaste formulations have developed considerably since the 1980s. Modern products can use more stable fluoride formulations, improved delivery systems and abrasives designed to clean effectively while being kinder to enamel and gums.

The point is not that an older tube immediately becomes toxic. It is that a product manufactured decades ago no longer reflects current dental science, formulation standards or the level of protection people expect from everyday oral care.

How Much Toothpaste Should Adults Use?

For most adults, a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste twice a day is sufficient. At that rate, a tube of toothpaste should normally be used within a relatively short period rather than surviving for years.

As Keely highlighted in the Newsweek feature, if somebody still has a tube from the 1980s, the expiry date may not be the biggest issue. Very infrequent brushing would be a much more important concern for long-term oral health.

So, Is Expired Toothpaste Safe?

A slightly out-of-date tube is unlikely to suddenly become hazardous, but once a toothpaste is substantially past its expiry date there is little reason to keep using it. The product may no longer perform as intended, and replacing it is inexpensive and simple.

The best approach is to use an in-date fluoride toothpaste, brush twice daily, and maintain regular dental and hygiene care.

Read the full Newsweek article.

About Dr Keely Thorne

Dr Keely Thorne is Principal Dentist at The Dental Barns in Lichfield, where she provides private restorative and aesthetic dentistry with a strong focus on prevention, communication and long-term oral health.