The Power of Fluoride
This experiment shows how fluoride can have protective powers that will stop or slow down the acid attack on an egg shell. Similarly fluoride in the mouth can help strengthen the tooth and even help to re-mineralize the tooth surface.
Try this fun experiment at home (with the help of mom and dad of course!)
You will need:
• 1 bottle of daily fluoride rinse
• 2 eggs
• 1 bottle of vinegar
• 3 containers
What to do:
Pour four inches of fluoride (enough to cover the egg) rinse into one of the containers. Place one of the eggs into the fluoride rinse and let sit for 5 minutes. Remove the egg. Pour four inches of vinegar into two of the other containers and place the fluoride treated egg into one and the non-fluoride treated egg into the other container of vinegar. What do you see?
One egg will start o bubble as the vinegar starts to attack the minerals in the egg shell. But the fluoride treated egg does not bubble. Why? The fluoride has made the egg shell more resistant to the acid attack, just like fluoride can strengthen the tooth enamel and make the tooth more resistant to decay.
