Surprising Uses for Toothpaste Beyond Brushing

While toothpaste is essential for maintaining a bright and healthy smile, it has a variety of other uses that might surprise you. The same ingredients that clean and polish your teeth can also soothe common ailments, tackle tough stains, and even remove unpleasant odors. Discover some unexpected ways to put your toothpaste to work with these handy tips.

Soothe Bee Stings and Insect Bites If you’re dealing with an itchy insect bite or a painful bee sting, toothpaste can offer quick relief. Simply apply a small amount to the affected area. The toothpaste helps dry out the wound, reducing itching and swelling, and promoting faster healing.

Remove Crayon Marks from Walls Got crayon marks on your painted walls? A little toothpaste can help! Gently rub a damp cloth with toothpaste over the marks, and watch them disappear without damaging the paint. It’s a quick and easy solution for those unexpected artistic expressions.

Prevent Foggy Mirrors Foggy bathroom mirrors can be frustrating, especially when you’re in a rush. Rubbing a bit of toothpaste on your mirror and wiping it off before your shower can prevent fogging, saving you time in your morning routine.

Clean Scuffed Shoes Toothpaste can also help you restore the look of your shoes. Apply it directly to scuffed or dirty areas, then scrub with a brush and wipe clean. For stubborn stains, you may need to apply the toothpaste a couple of times to achieve the best results.

Make Jewelry Shine Toothpaste isn’t just for your smile it can also bring back the sparkle to your silver jewelry and diamonds. Rub a small amount of toothpaste onto your jewelry, leave it on overnight, and wipe it clean with a soft cloth in the morning. For diamonds, use a toothbrush, toothpaste, and water for gentle cleaning.

Remove Scratches from Discs If your DVDs or CDs have shallow scratches, toothpaste can help. Apply a thin layer of toothpaste to the disc, gently rub it in, and rinse clean. Repeat as necessary for multiple scratches.

Reduce Pimples Toothpaste can be a quick fix for an unexpected pimple. Apply it to the affected area before bed and wash it off in the morning. The toothpaste will help dry out the pimple, speeding up the healing process.

Deodorize Hands After handling pungent foods or strong-smelling cleaning products, try washing your hands with a small dab of toothpaste along with soap and water. Toothpaste can help neutralize lingering odors, leaving your hands smelling fresh.

Fill Nail Holes in Walls If you have small nail holes in your walls, toothpaste can double as a quick filler. Squeeze a small amount into the hole, smooth it out with a putty knife, and let it dry. Once dried, your wall will look as good as new, and you can even touch up the paint if needed.

Next time you’re at our Northfield, IL dental office, let us know if you’ve tried any of these unconventional uses for toothpaste! We love hearing about creative ways our patients make the most of this everyday item.