Although eggshells and teeth have entirely different functions, they actually have similar chemical make-ups. This resemblance makes them react similarly with other chemicals and can help us understand what stains tooth enamel.
When we brush an eggshell with fluoridated toothpaste, it strengthens the shell and protects it from acid, just like it does for our tooth enamel. In contrast, acid breaks down eggshells just like it does to enamel. Enamel is the hardest substance created by the human body, but that doesn’t make it invincible. This experiment can help you or your kids understand how stained tooth enamel occurs from some of the most common beverages we drink.
The Enamel Egg-speriment Results
In this egg-speriment, we use eggs and a variety of beverages—both sugary and acidic—to show their oral health impact. The beverages affect the eggshells just like they affect our teeth. Check out how the drinks we consume every day are changing and coloring our tooth enamel!
From coffee and sports drinks to soda and juice, the damage done to our enamel look-alikes will help you rethink your drink!
After soaking in various beverages in the refrigerator for 24 hours, we could clearly see how the eggshells exposed to sugar were very impacted:
Coffee and Tooth Enamel
Cola and Tooth Enamel
Lemon-Lime Soda and Tooth Enamel
Energy Drink and Tooth Enamel
Sports Drink and Tooth Enamel
Cranberry Juice and Tooth Enamel
Mouthwash and Tooth Enamel
Water and Tooth Enamel
Looking for more on how sugar impacts our oral health? Click here!