Toothpaste does a great job of keeping your teeth clean but there are many other, unexpected uses that you might not have considered. The same ingredients that help polish teeth can also prove to be a real helper around the house. Here are a few toothpaste tips shared by our orthodontist in 71201 that go beyond keeping your smile bright and mouth healthy.
Dry out pimples. This is a time-honored trick that is even used by Hollywood stars. Apply toothpaste to pimples before bedtime and wash the dried paste off in the morning. This will dry out the affected area and speed up the healing process.
Prevent mirrors from fogging. Rub toothpaste on mirrors and wipe it off before your next shower. This will help you save time waiting for the mirror to clear up and streamline your morning routine.
Relieve irritation from bug bites and stings. Apply a small amount of toothpaste to bee stings and insect bites to stop the itching and decrease swelling. The toothpaste dries out the wound and helps it heal more quickly.
Remove crayon and other marks from painted walls. Rub toothpaste on a damp cloth gently on a marked-up wall and watch the marks disappear. The best part is that it won’t remove most types of wall paint.
Make silver jewelry and diamonds sparkle. Rub toothpaste onto jewelry and leave it on overnight. Wipe clean with a soft cloth in the morning. You can also shine diamonds by gently scrubbing them with a very soft toothbrush, some toothpaste, and water.
Remove scuffs from shoes. Apply toothpaste directly to the dirty or scuffed area, then scrub with a brush and wipe clean. Stubborn stains may require another round or two.
Remove scratches on DVDs and CDs. If you have any old CDs or DVDs that you want to preserve or convert to digital, toothpaste can rub out shallow scratches and smudges. Apply a thin coating, rub gently, and rinse. Repeat if needed.
Deodorize hands. Pungent foods, cleaning products, and fragrances can linger on your hands no matter how many times you wash them. Try washing your hands using a small dab of toothpaste in addition to soap and water.
Fill in small nail holes. Squeeze toothpaste into the hole and use a putty knife or your finger to remove the excess. Let the toothpaste dry and your wall will look good as new. If needed, you can also use touch up paint right over the toothpaste.
It doesn’t matter whether you use toothpaste with fluoride or without, but the mild abrasives and drying action of white pastes usually work better than tooth gel. Give some of these ideas a try, and at your next appointment at our orthodontics office in Monroe, AL be sure to let us know the unusual ways you used toothpaste.
