Can I Take Toothpaste On The Plane?

Going on vacation is great fun. It can be difficult to know what to pack, and which bags to pack it inside.

When traveling, you are usually entitled to two bags. One of these bags is your checked luggage suitcase, and the other one is often your carry-on luggage.

It can also be difficult to know what size toothpaste to bring on the plane, as the TSA typically has rules about liquids and how much you can bring.

In this article, we will be telling you if you can bring toothpaste on the plane, and what you cannot get away with bringing on the plane.

What Is The Difference Between Checked Luggage And Carry-On Luggage?

When traveling, there are two different types of luggage that you will need to be aware of.

A carry-on bag is a type of bag that you are allowed to carry onto the actual plane, and you can have it with you. This is typically placed above your head in the baggage compartment, or under your chair for easy but safe access.

Checked luggage is placed into the cargo area of the plane, and it is returned to you when you have arrived at your destination.

Can I Take Toothpaste On The Plane?

In short, the answer is yes, you can take toothpaste on the plane. However, toothpaste is considered a liquid, so the TSA does have rules on liquids.

You can take toothpaste in your checked luggage or your carry-on bag. However, there are different rules depending on which bag you may want to put it in.

How Much Toothpaste Am I Allowed To Bring?

The amount of toothpaste you are allowed to bring completely depends on what bag you choose to put it in. Toothpaste is essential, and you definitely need to bring when flying overseas and on long domestic trips.

Although you can buy toothpaste in the country you are arriving in, it is always easier to bring your own, especially if you have particular dental needs.

In Carry-On Baggage

In your carry-on luggage, you are allowed to bring toothpaste.

However, you are only allowed to bring a certain amount of toothpaste. This is because of the guidelines that TSA has put in place for safety.

The amount of toothpaste you are allowed to bring in carry-on luggage is 3.45 oz. or less.

If you’re going on a short and sweet trip, you can buy special toothpaste that is meant for a few uses. These travel toothpastes typically come in 0.85 oz. measurements. Often time the front desk at your hotel will offer these small toothpaste bottles complimentary.

If you’re going away for longer, a 3.45 oz. tube of toothpaste will do you just fine.

In Checked Baggage

In checked baggage, the rules for liquids and toothpaste are different. There is no limit to how much toothpaste you can bring in your checked bags.

You are allowed to take more than 3.45 oz., and you can even place it loosely in your checked bag.

It is probably better to pack toothpaste in your checked bag if you are staying for a considerable amount of time, as you can pack as many tubes as you like!

Why Is 3.45 oz. The Maximum Amount?

Toothpaste is actually categorized as a liquid, and there is a limit for liquids on planes.

You can bring things like toothpaste in your checked luggage, but there is a 3.45oz limit in your carry-on bag.

With your carry-on bags, you can bring different liquids, but none of them can exceed the 3.45oz limit.

So, you can bring toothpaste, body wash, shampoo, and mouthwash, but they need to be separate, and less than 3.45 oz.

What Are The TSA Regulations On Liquids?

The TSA has strict rules on liquids. You can bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, gels, cream, and aerosols into your carry-on bag onto the plane.

All of your liquids must fit into a quart-sized bag, and if they do not, they must go into your checked luggage. They have to be 3.45 oz. each, and they need to be separated.

These can be in your carry-on bag, and they must be in a small bag, separate from your usual carry-on bag when they are scanned, as they sometimes need to be scanned separately.

If the system is alarmed when your liquids are being scanned, they may need to be checked again. Any liquids inside your checked bag are absolutely fine.

Any containers or bags that contain liquids that exceed 3.45 oz. must go into your checked bag.

Does Toothpaste Count As A Liquid?

Toothpaste does count as a liquid, at least on a plane. The TSA considers toothpaste to be a liquid, therefore it can only be brought onto the plane in limiting amounts.

How Do I Take Toothpaste On A Plane?

It is recommended to pack your toothpaste in your carry-on bag, in a small bag. This is perfect for short trips, as it is all measured out for you, in one place.

By putting it in your carry-on bag, it will also prevent you from getting caught out with too much liquid on the way back.

If it is already measured into correct measurements, you will not be inclined to pack more or pack the wrong amount into the wrong bag.

You can pack toothpaste in your checked luggage, but it may get muddled in amongst the clothes.

Why Can I Not Bring A Full Tube On The Plane?

You cannot bring a full tube of toothpaste onto the plane if it exceeds the 3.45 oz. measurement.

This is because toothpaste counts as a liquid, and you cannot have more than 3.45 oz. of each liquid.

Am I Allowed To Brush My Teeth On The Plane?

You are allowed to brush your teeth on the plane. You can brush your teeth in the plane toilet, and this may especially be recommended on longer flights.

What Toiletries Are Not Allowed On A Plane?

You are allowed most toiletries, as long as they do not exceed 3.45 oz. each. It is recommended to pack gels, creams, and aerosols that may be more than 3.45 oz. in your checked luggage.

You can bring any liquids as long as they are within the limit, but you cannot bring anything large and sharp.

Why Can’t I Bring Liquids On A Plane?

It is legal to bring liquids onto a plane, but it must be within the TSA’s rules.

These are the rules that say you cannot have a liquid that exceeds 3.45 oz., and all of your liquids must fit into a quart-sized bag.

Any other liquids that exceed these limits must go into your checked luggage. The main reason that you cannot bring more than 3.45 oz. of liquid in your carry-on bag is because of the potential security threat.

In 2006, there was a transatlantic aircraft terrorist plot to detonate liquid explosives on a plane.

The liquid was disguised as a soft drink, and it was proven to be very difficult to identify liquid explosives.

For this reason, the amount of liquid you can bring onto the plane is limited so that there will never be enough to act as a liquid bomb.

Final Thoughts

It can be confusing, knowing what to pack for your flight. There are many rules about what you can and cannot pack, and there are measurements for certain liquids.

Toothpaste is surprisingly a liquid, and it can only be packed in your carry-on luggage if it is less than 3.45oz.

We hope you’ve learned some interesting information about toothpaste, the rules on bringing toothpaste on a plane, and how to pack toothpaste.