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Researched by Jessica B. 2001-02 |
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The purpose of this experiment was to determine what the loss of tooth enamel on various beverages.
I became interested in this idea when I heard my orthodontics talk about all the cavities his patients have.
The information gained from this experiment will help people realize
what not brushing, can do to your teeth. It will also cause them to think
twice about what beverages they choose to drink that may include apple
juice, coffee, Kool-Aid, milk, orange juice, Pepsi, 7UP, or water.
My hypothesis is that Pepsi will cause the most loss of enamel.
I base my hypothesis on the ingredients found in Pepsi such as caffeine,
sugars, and phosphoric acid.
The constants in this study were:
* The amount of beverage in each jar (75 ml)
*The type of teeth (wisdom teeth)
* Same amount of time teeth are exposed (8
days)
* Same size of jar (2.5-6 oz.)
* Same refrigerator temperature ( 40*F)
The manipulated variable was the amount of beverage in each jar.
The responding variable was the loss of enamel from each tooth.
To measure the responding variable I put the teeth in an autoclave for
30 min. at 123°C, before the experiment then weigh them. After the
trials, I dry the teeth for 6 hrs. at 83°C, and weigh them again.
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| 1 |
Pair of safety gloves |
| 8 | Wisdom teeth. |
| 8 |
2.5-6.0 oz. baby food jars |
| 75 ml. | 7up |
| 75 ml. | Apple juice |
| 75 ml. |
Orange juice |
| 75 ml. |
Milk |
| 75 ml. | Water |
| 75 ml. | Coffee |
| 75 ml. | Kool aid |
| 75 ml. | Tong |
| 1 | Autoclave |
| 1 |
Lab vacuum |
| 1 |
Calculator |
1. Contact orthodontics/ oral surgeons to obtain teeth that have been
removed from patients for dental reasons.
1. Have the dentist sterilize the teeth in autoclave for at least 30
min. at 123°C.
3. Gather materials.
4. Put on safety gloves.
5. Label the baby-food jars with each beverage title so that there
are two jars for each.
6. Pour 75 ml. Of the correct beverage into each jar.
7. Weigh one tooth to the nearest tenth of a milligram.
8. Put that tooth in one of the jar.
9. Put lid on jar.
10. Write tooth’s initial weight on the jar lid.
11. Repeat steps 6-10 until all 8 teeth are ready for experiment.
12. Place jars in refrigerator.
13. Wait 8 days.
14. On the eighth day take out the jars.
15. With tongs carefully pull out one tooth,
* Rinse it in fresh water for 30 seconds,
* Rinse its jar for 30 seconds,
* Dry the jar and
* Set the tooth back into it.
16. Take the teeth to a lab vacuum and dry them for 6 hrs. at
83°C.
17. After 6 hrs. weigh each tooth.
18. Record the data and subtract the ending weight, with a calculator
from the initial weight for each tooth.
19. Average results for each beverage.
The original purpose of this experiment was to determine the effect of various beverages on the loss of tooth enamel.
The results of the experiment were that coffee caused the most loss,
7up the second most, and Pepsi the third most. Water caused the least.
My hypothesis was that Pepsi would cause the most loss of enamel.
The results indicate that this hypothesis should be rejected. Pepsi caused the third most after coffee and 7up.
Because of the results of this experiment, I wonder if I was to dissolve the teeth, the results would be the same.
If I were to conduct this project again I would test with more beverages,
and include a greater amount of each beverage.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This science project couldn’t have been possible without the help and assistance of several people. I would like to thank and acknowledge each of them for their help.
My mother for driving to different locations and supporting me.
Mrs. Helms for editing my MANY papers and helping me with computer
problems.
Theresa Sweetwood for allowing me to use her lab vacuum and helping
me get organized.
Debra Briemeister set up the lab vacuum.
Dr. Tew for supplying me with my teeth and setting up the use
of the autoclave.
Mr. Newkirk for answering all my questions when I was confused.
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