As dental professionals, our love of toothpaste is well known. But did you know that two-dollar tube in your bathroom can be used in many more ways other than keeping your teeth clean and cavity free?

Learn about these unusual uses for toothpaste, and you’ll see why it’s one of best ‘life hacks’ readily available.

1. Clean Your Diamond Ring

Use an old toothbrush to apply a small amount of toothpaste to your ring and scrub gently. Rinse off with water and then admire the shine.

2. Clean Your Sporty Shoes

This tip is great for the white rubber on sneakers and other sporty shoes (like the original Natives): wipe or scrub non-gel toothpaste onto the surface with a rag, and then rinse off. Your sneakers will look almost new.

3. Clean the Sink and Faucet

Just like commercial cleaners with fine abrasives such as VIM or Comet, non-gel toothpaste will clean and shine your sink, faucet and taps. Squirt about ½ a teaspoon on a damp cloth and wipe away. Rinse with water. A chrome faucet can be buffed with a dry cloth instead of rinsed. Toothpaste is also great at removing odors in the kitchen sink.

4. Remove Crayon From Walls

No need to fret about wax crayon marks – put a small amount of non-gel toothpaste on a rag and rub over the wall art (i.e. crayon marks). After removal, wipe the wall with a damp cloth to remove toothpaste.

5. Stop the Itch From Bug Bites

If you’re camping and can’t stop itching, grab your toothpaste. Ingredients such as menthol and baking soda, help relieve itching and swelling (make sure your toothpaste has these before applying). The astringent effect of toothpaste helps draw out fluids from under your skin. Apply a thin layer and let it dry. If you have sensitive skin and if your toothpaste contains a bunch of other ingredients, try a patch test first.

6. Treat a pimple

Toothpaste on a pimple is a popular remedy. Similar to bug bites, draws out the fluid and dries it up within 24 hours. Apply a non-gel and non-whitening toothpaste before bed. Note: this works best on pimples that have come to a head, and not pimples that have been popped (don’t put toothpaste on those – ouch!).

7. Prevent Fogged Goggles

Whether you’re swimming, scuba diving or woodworking, prevent fogged goggles by applying non-gel toothpaste to the inside of the lens. Wipe off with a damp cloth.

8. Deodorize containers or hands

From sour milk in baby bottles and moldy-smelling drink containers to garlic and fish-scenting chef’s hands, toothpaste is a great deodorizer. Smeared some on the offending area, then rinse off.

9. Remove Water Marks on Wood

Did someone forget to use a coaster on your wood coffee table? Remove the watermark ring with white toothpaste. Apply toothpaste to a dry rag and gently rub it along the stain. Depending on the size of the stain, it’ll either lighten or disappear entirely.

10. Remove Scratches from Sunglasses and Eyeglasses

Don’t ditch your scratched glasses without trying this trick first. Apply the toothpaste to a cotton ball or pad and gently rub into the scratch in a circular motion for at least 10 seconds. Rinse off with water, review your glasses and repeat until the scratch is gone. Buff with a dry lint-free cloth.

There you have it – 10 surprising uses for toothpaste, one of the most amazing products ever invented. If you need a toothpaste recommendation, ask us next time you’re at the clinic.