Plaque Attack Experiment | Dental Worksheet

Plaque is a sticky substance made up of bacteria that grows on your teeth. Its energy source is sugar, which allows it to make acid and, eventually, causes the development of cavities. For this reason, it is important to brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once. Use this experiment to learn just what plaque does to your teeth using yeast and sugar. Try this experiment with a friend or family member, but before you do, make sure to write down what you predict will happen.

For this activity, you need two clear plastic cups, two cups of warm water, two packets of yeast, one tablespoon of sugar, a thermometer, two spoons and one marker. When you have all these items gathered, you’re ready for the experiment!

Begin by pouring a cup of water into each cup, making sure the water is between 105 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. You can test the temperature of the water with a candy thermometer. Then, add a packet of yeast to each cup, and let it sit for around a minute. After that, mix the yeast until dissolved, using separate spoons to mix each cup. Add a tablespoon of sugar to one of the cups, and stir it well. Mark how much liquid is inside each cup on the side. Finally, watch the cups to see how the sugar feeds the yeast like it feeds plaque! Wait for up to 30 minutes to see the full impact of the sugar in this experiment.

After completing the experiment, share this dental worksheet with a friend so they can see this demonstration of the effect of plaque on their teeth as well. Use the results of your experiment as a reminder of the importance of brushing and flossing your teeth so that you can have a happy, healthy smile.