Can You Bring Toothpaste On a Plane? TSA Rules 2025

It is important to keep your teeth clean and your breath fresh while traveling, so you might be curious if you can bring toothpaste with you on a plane.

Generally, Yes, you can bring toothpaste on a plane, but it must follow TSA 3-1-1 rule for liquids: tubes must be more than 3.4 oz (100 ml), and must fit in one quart-sized clear bag, you can only bring one quart sized bag.

This post answers all your questions about taking all forms of toothpaste on planes and other dental care products, like toothbrushes and similar items.

Let’s dive right in.

Toothpaste TSA Rules

The TSA does allow toothpaste through the security checkpoint and in carry-on bags.

However, toothpaste is considered a liquid in the eyes of the TSA, which is why they limit the amount you can take on board to 3.4 oz / 100 ml or less per tube.

Here is a screenshot from the TSA website:

I also looked into their social media to find more answers, mainly X (Formerly Twitter).

You will need to place your toothpaste along with other liquids and toiletries inside your quart-sized bag and remove it from your bag at the security checkpoint for additional screening.

If you are a TSA PreCheck member, you don’t have to remove toiletries at the security checkpoint.

Does TSA Allow Toothpaste In Carry-on?

You can’t take full-sized toothpaste on a plane, but this guy can smuggle some penguins 😀

If you decide to take only a carry-on bag and keep everything handy during your flight, travel-sized toothpastes of no more than 3.4 oz (100 ml) are a good idea.

You can pack 0.85 oz toothpastes in your toiletry bag, and they will do the job.

Make sure you don’t place any non-toiletries inside your toiletry bag, as that may take up space needed for other essential toiletries.

How Much Toothpaste Can You Bring In Checked Baggage?

There are no limits to the amount of toothpaste you can bring in checked baggage.

You can pack larger containers (more than 3.4 oz / 100 ml) inside your checked bag without even placing them inside a toiletry bag.

The advantage of placing toothpaste in checked baggage is that you can take more than one full-sized container not only toothpaste but also any liquid products like shampoo, perfumes, etc.

Here are some tips on how to take your toothpaste on a plane:

• Choose the right size (under 100 ml), as size is the factor for liquids in carry-on.
• If possible, travel with the original container, because airport security agents can quickly identify the item without manual inspection.

Why Is Toothpaste Not Allowed On Airplanes?

The idea that some passengers think toothpaste is not allowed on planes is incorrect.

The TSA only limits the amount of toothpaste in carry-on baggage.

And not just toothpaste anything that you can pour, pump, spread, squeeze, smear, spray, or spill is considered a liquid and must follow the 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less rule, and apparently toothpaste can be squeezed.

The reason for banning large quantities of liquids like toothpaste is security. Terrorists or bad actors could use these liquids to make or hide explosives.

So don’t take it personally it is just for the safety and security of passengers and the aircraft.

There have been attempts involving liquids, acids, or explosives that security cannot detect if they are in large quantities, so the TSA and other security agencies tend to limit liquids to personal use amounts on board airplanes.

Can I Use My Toothpaste On a Plane To Brush My Teeth?

Yes.

You can brush your teeth on your flight, and it is advised to clean and rinse your mouth, especially if you have a meal or eat sugary foods.

It is even preferable to brush your teeth twice on long-haul flights (like US to Australia, or China to Canada).

Bye-Bye Quart-Sized Baggies.

There is a trend of toothpaste tablets among travelers, because you can take any amount of tablets in carry-on baggage and on planes without limits.

A traveler said about tablet toothpaste:
“These are part of my standard conference travel packing. I use a single hard-case suitcase that fits in an overhead bin, and the only thing I hate worse than checking a bag is having to fish out a baggie of liquids for inspection by the TSA. So I pack toothpaste tablets. Sometimes I also use the the hotel toothpaste for other hygiene needs (conditioner makes for great shaving cream), and never worry about it. My bag stays closed—one less thing to meddle with.”

Final Thoughts On Taking Toothpaste On a Plane.

Even though the TSA stated that toothpaste in a carry-on is allowed but it must be in tubes of 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less and placed inside a quart-sized bag.

Toothpaste is usually sold in 0.85 oz, 1.4 oz, and 2.5 oz tubes, so you will not have any issues.

There are no limitations on toothpaste in checked baggage.

If you are traveling to a place where toiletries are scarce or expensive, it may be smart to pack an extra tube of toothpaste in your checked baggage, especially if local shops are difficult to find or you don’t like a certain brand.

I hope this helps

Happy travels

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Gargie, is writer, traveler & a digital marketing specialist passionate about traveling and exploring new cultures. She is a savvy traveler who likes to pack light, testing various luggage brands and seeking out budget-friendly airline options. Gargie enjoys creating unique recipes when she’s not on the go.