Drinks That Destroy Teeth (Page 2 of 5) in pdf

Procedures:

Part 1- Sugar Content:

1. Assign each group of students one or two of the drinks being used in the lab.

2. Have the students determine how much sugar is in the drink(s) they have been assigned.

3. Provide each group with one empty soda bottle for each drink they are assigned. Have students

label the bottle with the drink name (milk, Gatorade, root beer, etc).

4. Have each team measure out the sugar contained in their assigned drink(s) and place that sugar

in the labeled container(s).

5. Have students graph the sugar content of ALL the drinks.

Part 2 - Acidity:

Provide each group with one container for each drink being tested. Students should label the

cups with the name of each drink.

Have students measure each liquid and pour it into the correct cup.

Dip a pH strip into a liquid then quickly compare it to the color chart. (Students will need one pH

test strip per drink)

Record the pH on the lab sheet. Repeat until all liquids have been tested.

5. Have students graph the pH of the drinks

Concluding the activity:

As a class, arrange the drinks in order from greatest to least sugar content. Ask students what

effect sugar has on teeth. (Leads to cavities) Arrange drinks in order from MOST acidic to LEAST

acidic. (Remind students that a LOW pH means HIGH acidity)

2. Review what students observed in the “Disappearing Egg” lab. Were their acidity predictions

correct? Have them discuss/predict what the effect of each type of drink may have on an egg

shell. What type of effect would it have on teeth? (Softens, erodes enamel. Refer to Disappearing

Egg lab)

Compare the sugar content in drinks to the acidity. Rank drinks according to the amount of

damage they can do to teeth – most damage to least damage.

Discuss how to reduce the damage done to teeth by sugary/acidic drinks. (Use a straw, use

fluoride rinse after brushing, rinse with water after finishing acidic drink, drink tap water vs bottled

water)

Have students record their observations / predictions on their lab sheets.

Variations:

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Have students design a display showing the amount of sugar in common drinks and

display in the cafeteria or enter in contest. See

for contest

details.

Resources:

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Visit

for websites and downloads

Drinks That Destroy Teeth Page 2