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Does Tea Stain Your Teeth Project

Drinking a regular cuppa of tea is an enjoyable experience for many at dusk and dawn, not to mention at regular intervals during the day, little knowing a bitter fact that the popular beverage entitles you to. Our science fair experiment tries to show you just that. It is important to gather all background information and the facts right before embarking on the project. An exhaustive background research will stand you in good stead.

Does Tea Stain Your Teeth

Does Tea Stain Your Teeth Science Project

Abstract

Egg shells are made of the same material as our teeth. So they are subjected to immersion in tea and some other drinks to study the discoloration. After the passing of a day, they show traces of stains. A comparative study is done in the end.

Introduction

The objective of the experiment is to check if tea can stain teeth.

Hypothesis

The eggs shells in this experiment will become stained on prolonged immersion in tea.

Supplies

Steps

  1. Fill the containers separately with tea, coffee and Coke.
  2. Put the hollowed egg shells into each container.
  3. Let them sit for 3-5 days.
  4. Every day, fish out the egg shell with the spoon and observe the changes. You can take photos if you like.
  5. Note the day when you see the actual discoloration begin. Keep on observing for the remaining days.
  6. Report the results in your notebook. You can make a chart as shown below.
Staining Material Day 1 Day 2 Day 3
Tea
Coffee
Coke
  1. The observed data can be plotted on a graph where the drinks form the independent variable and the amount or level of staining the dependent one. You can take a dark brown colored pencil and put different shades of it on paper to mark the amount of discoloration.

Conclusion

After around 24 hours, tingeing can be seen to set in on the egg shells. Extremely dark teas can cause more discoloration than coffee. You will see that coke produces the next worst stain after coffee.

Does Tea Stain Your Teeth Project

Video

Why Does Tea Stain Your Teeth

Tea contains organic substances known as tannins that cause teeth to discolor. Regular build up leads to staining. The more black the tea, the more stains.

How Do You Stop Tea Staining Your Teeth

  • Discoloration can be avoided by drinking tea with straw or adding milk.
  • Rinsing or drinking water post your tea session is also helpful in taking the stains off your teeth.
  • Steeping your tea in tea bags or paper filters is another option as it discharges a lesser number of staining particles.
  • Go for iced tea, white tea and rooibos tea for better results.

Does Green Tea Stain Your Teeth

Green tea leaves a gray stain on your teeth. Investing in an expensive brand is better as the cheaper ones are more hazardous.

Brush and floss your teeth regularly for retaining the pearly whites. It is best to brush your teeth twice, once at the beginning and one more time at the end of the day. It is even better if you brush your teeth immediately after consuming tea.

Published on August 4th 2017 by under Science Fair Projects. Article was last reviewed on 21st November 2023.

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