Reviving a recent, but old thread:

Last Monday I was flying through Denver, and I had my toothpaste confiscated because it was heavier than 3 oz. (we know that the restriction should be about volume, but it has ended up being about weight). I had a problem with this for two reasons. First, the TSO removed the toothpaste from the bin and handled it without gloves and without my permission. The other problem I have is that I consider this toothpaste to be an OTC medication.

I have sensitive teeth, and I use Sensodyne, which has, along with fluoride, potassium nitrate, to desensitize the teeth. The TSO, lead officer, and supervisor all said that all toothpaste has fluoride, so that is not an OTC medication. They also said that I would need a prescription to bring it through.

I tried logic:

1) It's an OTC medication, prescription is not required. I don't have a prescription for my 5 OZ bottle of contact lens cleaner.

2) It contains two drugs, here is a printout of an FDA presentation stating fluoridated toothpaste is a medication.

Reply: Doesn't apply to toothpaste. My problem is that I cannot find this product in "allowable" sizes, and this is the third time this has happened to me. Usually I get it through, but since I fly a minimum of twice a week, it is quickly becoming a big problem.

Denver is the biggest issue. Is there someone I can complain to that is Denver specific? I have already written my Congress person as well as the American Dental Association.

Thanks

Edited to Add:

The most responsive party in all of this is Glaxo Smithkline, the manufacturer of Sensodyne. They contacted me almost immediately by email to set up a call to get the facts. They, not surprisingly, seem to have an interest in letting TSA know not to hassle their customers.