You’re probably reading this article because you have an upcoming flight and want to know if toothpaste is a liquid and if you will be allowed to pack it in your carry on.
Technically speaking, there are arguments for and against toothpaste being considered a liquid or not.
The truth of the matter, though, is that it doesn’t matter if toothpaste is a liquid or not.
TSA have a rule they call the 3-1-1 rule, which applies to liquids, as well as gels and aerosols, with toothpaste definitely falling under one of them.
These items must not be in a container that is larger than 3.4 oz/100ml if you want to pack them in your carry on bags.
Additionally, they should be placed in a 1 quart-sized clear, resalable bag. This rule applies to each individual passenger.
If the container exceeds 3.4 oz/100ml, then they must be packed in your checked bags.
Do International Airlines and Airports Consider Toothpaste to Be a Liquid?
Again, it doesn’t matter if international airlines and airports consider toothpaste to be a liquid or not.
Internationally, the same rules apply.
This means that toothpaste should be in a container that is no larger than 3.4 oz/100ml if you want to pack it in your carry on bags.
Do All Airlines Have the Same Restrictions When Flying With Toothpaste?
All airlines follow TSA guidelines when it comes to bringing toothpaste on a plane.
This means that regardless if you are flying with Delta, Southwest, United, JetBlue, American Airlines, or any other airline, toothpaste must be in a container that is no larger than 3.4 oz/100ml if you wish to pack it in your carry on bags.
Flying With Prescription Toothpaste
Even though toothpaste is considered a liquid (or gel), which means that the container must not exceed 3.4oz/100 ml if you want to pack it in your carry on bags, if you use prescription toothpaste, you can disregard this rule.
TSA state that they allow larger amounts of medically necessary liquids and gels “in reasonable quantities”. This includes toothpaste.
The only thing to be aware is that a passenger must declare the toothpaste to TSA officers at the checkpoint for inspection.
The best brand of toothpaste for travel is your favorite brand.
This is because all the major brands, like Colgate, Crest, Sensodyne etc. all sell travel-friendly sized tubes of toothpaste that designed to packed in your carry on bags.
The only thing to be aware of is that any electric toothbrush with a lithium-ion battery should be packed in your carry-on bags.
The best toothbrush for travel is the Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 6100
TSA Liquid Limit for Checked Luggage
According to the FAA, technically there is a liquid limit for medicinal and toiletry products:
“The total aggregate quantity per person cannot exceed 2 kg (70 ounces) or 2 L (68 fluid ounces). The capacity of each container must not exceed 0.5 kg (18 ounces) or 500 ml (17 fluid ounces)”
However, this isn’t enforced considering that your checked bags aren’t screened specificially for this.
Ella Dunham, a Freelance Travel Journalist and Marketing Manager, boasts an impressive career spanning eight years in the travel and tourism sectors.
Honored as one of "30 Under 30" by TTG Media (the world’s very first weekly travel trade newspaper), a "Tour Operator Travel Guru" and "Legend Award" winner, Ella is also a Fellow of the Institute of Travel, a Member of the Association of Women Travel Executives, has completed over 250 travel modules, and hosts travel-focused segments on national radio shows where she provides insights on travel regulations and destinations.
Ella has visited over 40 countries (with 10 more planned this year).
