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Here are some great science experiments for elementary
students to learn about the importance of brushing and flossing
their young teeth.
Oral Health Experiments You Can Try
Note: with any science experiments, it is recommended to have an
adult for supervision.
The Power of Fluoride*
This experiment simulates the protection power of Fluoride.
What you'll need:
1 bottle of Fluoride rinse solution (available from your dentist,
local dental supply company and some pharmacies)
2 eggs
1 bottle of white vinegar
3 containers
What to do:
Pour four inches of Fluoride rinse solution into one of the containers
and then place an egg in the solution. Let it sit for five minutes.
Remove the egg. Pour four inches of vinegar into each of the remaining
two containers. Put the egg that has been treated with the Fluoride
into one container of vinegar and the untreated egg in the other
container of vinegar.
What will happen:
One egg will start to bubble as the vinegar (an acid) starts to
attack the minerals in the egg shell. Which egg do you think will
start to bubble?
Acid Attack!*
This experiment simulates an acid attack on bones (bones are rich
with calcium, just like your teeth).
What you'll need:
2 clean chicken bones (ask your parents to save them for you the
next time you have chicken for dinner)
1 container
1 bottle of white vinegar
What to do:
Pour several inches of vinegar into the container. Soak the clean
chicken bones in the vinegar overnight.
What will happen:
Check out the bones after they've soaked in the vinegar overnight.
Are they softer or harder? Be sure to throw the bones away in the
garbage after you're finished.
Hidden Sugar*
This experiment identifies the sugar content in food. Sugar is
a major factor in the growth of plaque and tooth decay. Note: an
adult must supervise this experiment.
What you'll need:
1 bottle of Benedict's solution (ask the school Science department)
assorted small pieces of food (cookies, crackers, bread, fruit)
several glass test tubes
1 heat source (burner, gas or electric)
tongs
What to do:
Place a piece of food in each test tube and then pour 30 - 40 ml
of Benedict's solution over the food. Heat the test tubes one at
a time over the burner, using the tongs to hold the test tubes.
What will happen:
Benedict's solution is blue. The presence of sugar will turn the
solution to orange. Are there some foods you thought were sugar-free
that have sugar?
Floss is the Boss
What you'll need: a rubber glove, a jar of peanut butter and something
to spread it with, a container of dental floss, a toothbrush and
some toothpaste.
What to do: put the glove on one hand and hold your hand with the
fingers extended but tightly together, pointing upward (your hand
with the glove should look like you1re going to give your friend
a ":high five":, or how a policeman holds his hand up
to stop traffic). Spread your fingers apart and have someone spread
peanut butter between your fingers make sure to get the peanut
butter deep between your finger joints. Tighten your fingers together
again. In this experiment, your fingers represent your teeth, and
the peanut butter between them is food that gets trapped between
your teeth when you eat. With your fingers still tightly together
and held upward, use the toothbrush and toothpaste to try and scrub
the peanut butter away (remember not to move your fingers apart!).
Have someone else try to remove the peanut butter using the dental
floss between your fingers. Which does a better job the toothbrush
and paste or the floss?
What will happen: a toothbrush simply can't reach all the places
between your teeth. Dental floss can do a much better job of removing
food between your teeth. If it's not removed, it can cause gum disease
and cavities.
source: healthyteeth.org
*N.S. Department of Health publication Dental Health Grades 4 -
6 /89.
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