The science behind our precious smiles

Ijust returned from the dentist and on the ride home, had a discussion with my passenger about the importance of good dental hygiene.

We often do not think about our teeth as being fragile and that we need to take care of them exceptionally well. They have to last us a lifetime after all! This experiment will show you how the simplest thing can damage our precious smile. Let’s get started!

*Remember to ask an adult before doing this experiment.

Materials

• Eggshell

• Soda of your choice

• Clear glass or jar

• Plastic wrap

• Tweezers

Procedure

1. Place the eggshell (without the egg) in the glass.

2. Cover the eggshell with soda.

3. Cover the glass with plastic wrap so that the pop will not evaporate too quickly.

4. Every couple of days, take the eggshell out and look at it.

5. You may want to pick the eggshell up with tweezers very carefully and make your observations.

What is going on?

The acidic nature of the soda is similar to the acid that forms in your mouth. The eggshell is a simulation of your teeth as they are somewhat similar in their makeup.

The eggshell should have began to disintigrate due to the acid in the soda. This is similar to how a cavity forms in your mouth. If you do not brush your teeth, bacteria forms in your mouth.

Bacteria then feeds on the tiny particles of food that are left in your mouth after you eat. Then they turn these small food particles into acid.

This acid is strong enough that it eventually will eat away at the enamel on your teeth. In the end what happens is you will have one of those painful cavities.

Patty Rooks, Senior

Scientific Consultant PRAXIS, “Connecting Science To The Community”. Contact with Praxis at praxis@praxismh.ca, www.praxismh.ca, Tweet or follow us @PraxisMedHat, or friend us on Facebook. Address: #12 826 11 Street S. E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 1T7 Phone: 403.527.5365, email: praxis@praxismh.ca