Does Tea Stain Your Teeth? Name Period

The Problem Does Tea Stain Your Teeth? Scientific Question: 1. What does tea and other harsh drinks have an affect on your teeth? 2. How long does it take for tea to stain your teeth?

The Background Information Causes of teeth staining The color in these foods and beverages comes from chromogens, intensely pigmented molecules with an unfortunate penchant for latching on to dental enamel. Acidity is another factor. Acidic foods and beverages including some that are not brightly colored, promote staining by eroding the dental enamel, temporarily softening teeth and making it easier for chromogens to latch on. A family of food compounds known as tannins promotes staining by further boosting chromogens’ ability to attach to enamel. 7 top teeth staining foods and beverages: wine, tea, cola, sports drinks, berries, sauces, and sweets.

The Background Information To Prevent Teeth Staining Keep your teeth clean. Use Floss. Be wise about beverages.  Use a straw when you drink.

Hypothesis I predict that tea is going to stain the egg shell. The color in these foods and beverages comes from chromogens, intensely pigmented molecules with an unfortunate penchant for latching on to dental enamel.

The Materials 3 eggs shells  1 clear container  2 tea bags  1 hand towel

The Variables Independent Variable: I am proving that tea stains your teeth. Dependent Variable: That the tea stained the egg shells.  Controlled Variable: Nothing change. I proved that tea stains your teeth.

The Procedures Boil the 2 tea bags. Pour the tea into the clear container. Place the 3 egg shells into the container once the tea has cooled. Leave the egg shells in the container for at least 3 hours to see the results  Finally remove the eggs from the container and place them on the hand towel

Qualitative Data Observing the eggs every 30 minutes in the 3 hours of the process.  1.The eggs were still white. 2.The eggs begin to have an off white color to it. 3.The eggs then begin to look like a tan color. 4.The eggs were now a light brown. 5.The brown color on the eggs began to show even more 6.The eggs are now officially brown. Change the layout to meet your needs. (You may want a table, chart, or columns.) You should have detailed observations in this section. Remember: qualitative observation use the senses and descriptor words (adjectives).

The Results 

Conclusion My hypothesis was correct. Tea does stain your teeth. I found out my answer by soaking eggs in tea. My last result was the eggs became brown like the tea. To answer my hypothesis yes, tea does stains your teeth.

Resources/Acknowledgements http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/home-remedies/home-remedies-for-whiter-teeth.htm http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/foods-stain-teeth-feature