As you clean out your bathroom cupboard, it is common to find expired dental products that you had forgotten about. Chances are, you are using toothpaste, dental floss, toothbrushes or mouthwash with past expiry date and are wondering if it is safe to use it.
You have even found unused ones and you don’t want them to go to waste. With some expired dental products like non-flavored dental floss, you can still use while it is best to trash others.
Manufactured by Date
The expiration date is not needed on dental products. Consumers are however given the date of manufacture for reference purposes because they lose effectiveness over time.
A point to note is that oral care products take a long time to expire hence no harm in using them. Below are the oral care products and guideline on how long you can use them safely.
Tooth Paste
When you find your toothpaste tube empty, you look through your toiletries to see if you can get a long-lost tube. According to many dentists, it is not risky to use but after 2 years, fluoride and flavor fade.
Toothpaste has a 2-year manufacture date. Buy fresh toothpaste to protect your teeth against tooth decay and gum diseases and most importantly, get the most out of it.
You can try the best technology for filling your teeth if you have a problem with your teeth.
Toothbrushes
Unopened toothbrush never expires but once used, it becomes less effective over time. An opened toothbrush gathers dust and bacteria begin to collect on it which can cause oral conditions or sickness.
Replace your toothbrush after every 3 or 4 months. The more you use it, the more it will begin to fray, and will not clean your teeth well.
Mouthwash
Almost all mouthwash contains alcohol as an active ingredient. Water is another ingredient with a high percentage. After 2 to 3 years, alcohol begins to dissolve in water and the benefit of mouthwash downgrade the older it gets.
Mouthwash is your first line of defense against oral health conditions such as gum diseases and tooth decay. If it expires, it loses its preventive abilities placing you at dental health risk. When it comes to our oral hygiene, it is best to throw dental products if in doubt especially if past its expiration date.
If your mouthwash changes smell, texture or color, toss it to avoid health problems.
Dental Floss
Dental floss is similar to toothbrushes. Unopened dental floss can never expire and is free from dust and bacteria. If opened, bacteria and dust will have accumulated on it and this will affect your dental health.
A point to note is that flavored floss will not taste anything because its flavor fades with time. If it had mint flavor, you will notice it does not taste minty. For you to prevent this problem, shop for a flavored dental floss that has begun its shell life.
Hopefully, with this guideline, you will be able to tell which dental products are safe to use and which ones are not.
