Tooth Decay Science Experiment

Tooth decay, otherwise known as cavities, is caused by bacteria in your mouth that turns sugar into energy and produces acid that damages the teeth.  This can be caused by a combination of factors, including: frequent snacking, an unhealthy diet, a bad oral hygiene routine, and not seeing the best pediatric dentist in Woodcliff Lakes every 6 months.  Although we’ve probably told our children many times why cavities are bad and how to prevent them, sometimes it’s not easy for them to understand the process.  That’s why there are fun science experiments to help them understand.

Materials Needed for This Experiment: 

• 1 cup soda (brown soda required), 1 cup vinegar, 5 plastic cups or jars, 1 cup fruit juice, 1 cup water, 1-4 toothbrushes, baking soda or toothpaste, 4 hard boiled eggs, 4 egg holders, optional.

How to Do The Experiment:

1. The first thing you need to do is place the eggs in plastic cups.
2. Next, your children will pour the different liquids over the eggs.  This means that 1 egg will be covered in soda, 1 egg will be covered in vinegar, 1 egg will be in fruit juice, and the last one will be in water.  You should make index cards that indicate which liquid is in which container.
3. Let them soak overnight.  Don’t leave them for longer, however, as it can cause the egg shells to start dissolving.
4. One at a time, place the egg in the egg holder (or just hold it carefully if you don’t have an egg holder), and have the children observe what happened to the egg shells.  For instance, the soft drink will have the most noticeable effect on the shells.
5. Have your children brush the eggs with the toothbrush to see the visible change after they wash them.

The Purpose:

The purpose of this experiment is for your children to see how the different drinks affect the teeth, and how important it is to brush them well with toothpaste in order to remove the effects.  This will encourage your children to consider what type of drinks are best for their teeth, and how important it is to brush them afterwards so that they stay clean.

This is just one way to help your kids understand what sugary drinks can do to their teeth.  The best pediatric dentist in Woodcliff Lakes recommends trying different and fun ways to help your children understand the importance of maintaining healthy hygiene.