EGG SHELL (Calcium Carbonate) AND BAKING SODA (Sodium Bicarbonate)
AS ALTERNATIVE TOOTHPASTE
Blue Reign G. Antenor
Researcher
Dinnes A. Masubay
Research Adviser
Nangka Elementary School
4 Balubad St, Nangka, Marikina, 1808 Metro Manila
ABSTRACT
Eggshells were found healthy due to trace amounts of other minerals contained in it.
Eggshell calcium is probably the best natural source of calcium, and it is easier for your body to
digest and absorb. According to World’s Poultry Science Association, eggshell is made almost
entirely (about 97 percent) of calcium carbonate crystals. Because of this structure and contents
that eggshells have, some research suggested that it can reminiralize teeth. On the other hand,
according to MyOralHealth.com, baking soda has a lower abrasive quality than many of the
cleaning agents found in other toothpastes. The toothpaste made form eggshells was compared to
two commercial brands. This study helps lessen the cases of toothache and other dental related
problems.
Keywords: toothpaste, eggshells, baking soda
INTRODUCTION
According to the 2018 National Monitoring and Epidemiological Dental Survey
(NMEDS), about 92.4% of Filipinos have tooth decay (dental caries) and 78% have gum
diseases (periodontal diseases). The dental caries experience of a 12 year old Filipinos in terms
of the Average number of Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT is 4.48. This is high
compared to the WHO standards of 3 DMFT and below for 12 year old individual.
In Nangka Elementary School, 98% of the total cases brought in the school clinic were
dental and tooth ache related. For this, several initiatives were being done to minimize the
number of tooth ache related cases in the school.
Knowing this problem, the researcher is challenged to develop an indigenous and simple
solution to help solving the problem. Thus, had an idea to use egg shells and baking soda in
making toothpaste.
World's Poultry Science Association has spent years studying the properties of eggshells
and their effect on the teeth. They found that besides being rich in calcium. Eggshells also
contain 27 other minerals in large quantities, all of these being substances necessary for the
healing of the teeth. Their composition is very similar to that of teeth and they help the
remineralization of the teeth.
I. PROBLEM:
This study aims to compare the quality of toothpastes made from egg shells and
baking soda to the two other commercial toothpastes.
II. HYPOTHESES:
1. Null Hypothesis (Ho): There is no significant difference between toothpastes
made from egg shells and baking soda to the two other commercial
toothpastes.
2. Alternative Hypothesis (H1): There is significant difference between toothpastes
made from egg shells and baking soda to the two other commercial
toothpastes.
III. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY:
This study aims to develop alternative toothpaste that is safe and more effective than its
commercial counterparts. Since this is cheap and can be done at home, parents and students can
use this to prevent tooth decay and therefore tooth ache.
IV. SCOPE AND LIMITATION:
This study is only limited to the effectiveness of the toothpaste made from eggshells and
baking soda. This was compared to the two commercial toothpastes in terms of texture and taste.
The effectivity was based on the insights of the user after tested it for one week.
V. DEFINITION OF TERMS:
baking soda – commonly used in cleaning and deodorizing products due to its ability to absorb
odors and neutralize acids. These properties also make baking soda toothpaste highly
effective. The substance’s use in a variety of recipes demonstrates its safety as well.
calcium carbonate – a chemical compound with the formula CaCO₃. It is a common substance
found in rocks and the main component of pearls and shells.
eggshell – the outer covering of a hard shelled chicken egg. Chicken eggshells contain calcium
carbonate.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In this section, the detailed instructions and descriptions of experiments and procedures
were presented. This section includes three phases, namely: gathering of materials, preparations
of set ups, test and experimentation and data analysis. Pictures of materials used in each phase
were also given.
Phase I: GATHERING OF MATERIALS
In this study, the materials used were readily available in the community. The pieces of
woods were found in the industrial room of our school. The following materials were used:
Clean and dry Baking soda Coconut oil
eggshells (Sodium Bicarbonate)
Figure 1. Materials used in the study
Specifically, these materials were shown in table 1.
Table 1. Materials used in making toothpaste
MATERIALS MEASUREMENTS FUNCTION
Egg shell powder ¼ cup Source of Calcium for the teeth
Baking Soda 2 tablespoon It helps to whitens the teeth
It serves as the binder of the
Coconut oil 2 tablespoons
eggshell and baking soda
Mint flavor (optional) 2-3 drops
Table 2. Other materials and tools used in making toothpaste
MATERIALS TOOLS/ EQUIPMENT USED
3 bowls mortar and pestle
Sting rod
Measuring cups
Phase II: PREPARATIONS OF SET UPS
In making the toothpaste, the tools were also borrowed in the Home Economics room and
Science Laboratory of Nangka Elementary School. The steps in making the toothpaste
are the following:
1. Using the mortar and pestle, powderize the eggshell until fine granules were achieved.
Figure 2. Pestling the eggshell until it become fine powder
2. Add the ¼ cup powdered eggshell to 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Then mix it well.
Figure 5. mixing the powdered eggshell to the baking soda
3. Add the 2 table spoon of coconut oil to the mixture of powdered eggshell and baking soda.
Then mix it well until it becomes paste.
Figure 5. Adding coconut oil in the mixture.
Phase III: TEST AND EXPERIMENTATION
To test the toothpaste the following steps were observed:
1. The researcher compare the toothpaste made from eggshell to an expensive brand and cheaper
brand of toothpaste in terms of texture, taste, and effectiveness based on the insights of the
user after 1 week of using.
RESULT
In this section, the data that has been gathered during the test and experimentation will be
presented.
1. Comparative description of toothpaste made from eggshells and 2 commercial toothpastes
toothpastes texture Taste
Toothpaste made from eggshells Oily and firm. granulated Taste of eggshell is present
Expensive brand Foamy and firm Menthol flavor
Local toothpaste
Foamy and firm Menthol flavor
(cheaper brand)
Table 3. comparative description of toothpaste made from eggshells and 2 commercial
toothpastes
2. Insights of user after one week of using the toothpaste made from eggshell. The user used the
toothpaste made from egg shell thrice a day: one in the morning, one after lunch and one
before sleeping.
Description
The toothpaste has an egg flavor. It is soft and smells coconut
oil. It has granulated texture inside the mouth and was not foamy only few
Toothpaste made from
bubbles appeared. You can feel the granules sliding throughout the teeth.
eggshells
After using, the teeth was cleaned and felt soft due to friction with eggshell
granules.
DISCUSSION
Eggshells were found healthy due to trace amounts of other minerals contained in it.
Eggshell calcium is probably the best natural source of calcium, and it is easier for your body to
digest and absorb. According to World's Poultry Science Association, eggshell is made almost
entirely (about 97 percent) of calcium carbonate crystals. Because of this structure and contents
that eggshells have, some research suggested that it can reminiralize teeth. On the other hand,
according to MyOralHealth.com, baking soda has a lower abrasive quality than many of the
cleaning agents found in other toothpastes. In this study, the researcher is challenged to develop
an indigenous and simple solution to help solving the problem. Thus, had an idea to use egg
shells and baking soda in making toothpaste.
Tooth paste made from eggshells was found out oily and firm, and granulated in texture.
The oiliness was due to the coconut oil used as binder for the eggshell powder and baking soda
mixture. Though granulated, it actually helped to clean the teeth. The granules slide on the teeth
and produced friction that helps remove unwanted dirt and chemicals on the teeth.
Egg taste was still present in the homemade toothpaste. This is not bad but it can be
enhanced by adding some flavorings including menthol and gum flavors. Also, this toothpaste
produced less foam and bubbles since this is organic, however this is a guaranteed safe if
accidentally swallowed.
CONCLUSION
This study aims to develop alternative toothpaste that is safe and more effective than its
commercial counterparts. Since this is cheap and can be done at home, parents and students can
use this to prevent tooth decay and therefore tooth ache.
Base on the results, the researcher can conclude that the toothpaste made from eggshells
is an effective alternative to the commercial toothpastes.
RECOMMENDATION
In this study the researcher recommends the following:
1. Another study must be done to enhance this study.
2. Introduce this toothpaste made from eggshells in the community to lessen
problems due to toothache
3. Another study to test if how long this toothpaste lasts.
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