Traveling with toothpaste: tips for every trip

Brushing your teeth twice a day is non-negotiable. So when you spend time away from home, you've gotta pack a toothbrush and toothpaste.

But how much toothpaste will you need for your trip, what are the rules for bringing it on a plane, and what's the best way to pack it? Here's everything you need to know about traveling with toothpaste.

Understanding TSA rules for traveling with toothpaste

When it comes to air travel, the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) has guidelines and restrictions about what you can bring in carry-on luggage — and how much. Toothpaste is usually a cream or gel, both of which fall under the TSA's liquid rule.

The rule says passengers can't bring any liquid, cream, gel, or paste in a container larger than 3.4 ounces through airport security in their hand luggage. So as long as your toothpaste tube is no bigger than 3.4 ounces, you're good to go.

If your toothpaste tube is larger than 3.4 ounces, you'll need to pack it in your checked baggage. Some (but not all) full-sized toothpastes are under 3.4 ounces.

Choosing the right toothpaste for travel

What toothpaste should you bring on your trip? Consider travel-size toothpaste, solid options, and other alternatives.

Travel-sized toothpaste options

Travel-size toothpaste tubes are usually about 0.5 ounces — that's roughly enough to last one person a week with twice-daily brushing. You can also find slightly bigger travel tubes for couples or families that are still under 3.4 ounces.

And as mentioned, a standard-size tube of toothpaste can go in a checked bag.

Solid toothpaste and other alternatives

Solid toothpaste is another option. It typically comes in the form of compressed, dehydrated toothpaste tablets, which you break with your teeth, then brush as you normally would.

There are other alternatives, too, like toothpaste chews, disposable finger brushes, and powdered toothpaste with baking soda. But while these can work in a pinch, the best option is regular 'ol toothpaste and a toothbrush.

How to pack toothpaste for your trip

Here are our best travel tips for packing toothpaste:

• Know how much toothpaste you need. Are you traveling alone for just a few nights, with a partner, or on a week-long family vacation? Crunch the numbers for how much toothpaste you'll need — about a half-ounce per person per week.

• Figure out what bag to pack it in. Toothpaste tubes 3.4 ounces or smaller can go in carry-on suitcases. Anything larger will need to be packed in checked luggage.

• Use a TSA-approved toiletry bag. If you're carrying on, put your toothpaste and other liquid toiletries in a quart-sized clear zip-top bag, per the TSA's recommendations.

• Navigate different country regulations. The same general rules for toothpaste apply when traveling internationally. But it can vary, so check the website for your airline and the airport you're traveling to before packing.

Common mistakes to avoid when traveling with toothpaste

There are a few common mistakes you'll want to avoid when traveling with toothpaste and other personal care items:

• Overpacking toothpaste. "Pack light" is one of the best travel tips of all time. So try not to overpack toothpaste (i.e., don't bring the full-size tube you keep in your bathroom). Instead, figure out how much you need and find a mini tube to toss in your toiletry bag.

• Not packing it in a protective bag. Any time you're traveling with liquids or creams (toothpaste, hand sanitizer, makeup, mouthwash, etc.), make sure to pack them in a plastic bag or another protective case to keep them away from the rest of your stuff in the event a container explodes en route.

• Failing to follow TSA guidelines. Make sure you're up to speed on the TSA's latest guidelines for air travel and carry-on luggage. It can change from year to year, so it's worth checking the website if you haven't traveled for a while.

Explore our travel-friendly dental care products

Have a trip coming up? Explore the travel-friendly oral care products from quip. We have anticavity toothpaste in mint or watermelon flavor. The full size is 4.3 ounces (a three-month supply), but we also have travel toothpaste in 0.5-ounce tubes.

Your teeth-cleaning routine doesn't have to suffer just because you're leaving home. Our trip-ready electric toothbrushes come with a travel cover that doubles as a mirror mount. When you shop the collection, you'll also find portable refillable flossers and on-the-go gum and mint dispensers.

Sources:

Transportation Security Administration (TSA). What Can I Bring? - Toothpaste.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Security Screening - Liquids Rule.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA). What is the 3-1-1 liquids rule?.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA). (2018). TSA shares tips on knowing what should go in a carry-on bag, checked bag, neither or either.