Which Beverage Stains Your Teeth The Most Science Fair Project

Are you curious about which beverage stains your teeth the most? Well, a science fair project can help you find out! This project is perfect for students who want to explore the effects of different beverages on teeth staining. In this article, we will guide you through the steps of conducting this science fair project.

Background Information

Before we dive into the project, let's first understand why certain beverages stain our teeth. Our teeth have a porous outer layer known as enamel. When we consume beverages that contain chromogens, tannins, and acids, they can penetrate the enamel and cause staining.

Chromogens are pigmented molecules that can stick to the enamel of our teeth. Tannins, on the other hand, are compounds that make it easier for chromogens to stick to the enamel. Lastly, acids can erode the enamel and expose the dentin layer underneath, which is naturally yellow in color.

Materials Needed

Here are the materials you will need to conduct this science fair project:

6 clear plastic cups
6 white eggshells
6 different beverages (coffee, tea, soda, sports drink, red wine, and white wine)
Marker
Measuring cup
Paper towels

Make sure to use clear plastic cups so you can easily observe the staining process. You can also use white chicken bones instead of eggshells if you prefer.

Procedure

Follow these steps to conduct the science fair project:

Related Teeth

Label each cup with the name of the beverage you will be using.
Crush the eggshells into small pieces and divide them equally among the cups.
Pour 1/4 cup of each beverage into its corresponding cup.
Stir each cup for 30 seconds to simulate drinking.
Let the cups sit for 24 hours.
Observe the color of the eggshells and compare them to each other.

Make sure to take pictures of the eggshells before and after the experiment to document the results.

Results and Analysis

After 24 hours, you should observe that some eggshells have become more stained than others. Here are the expected results:

Coffee: dark brown stains
Tea: light brown stains
Soda: light brown stains
Sports drink: light brown stains
Red wine: dark purple stains
White wine: light yellow stains

These results are due to the chromogens and tannins present in each beverage. Coffee and red wine have high levels of chromogens and tannins, which make them the most staining. Tea, soda, and sports drinks have lower levels of chromogens and tannins, resulting in lighter stains. White wine has very low levels of chromogens and tannins, making it the least staining.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this science fair project is a fun and educational way to explore the effects of different beverages on teeth staining. By conducting this experiment, you can learn about the science behind tooth staining and make informed choices about what you drink. Remember to brush and floss regularly to maintain good oral hygiene!