Ask A Scientist Chemistry Archive

name         Champin
status       other
grade        other
location     IN

Question -   I am currently a camp counselor at a university helping a
kid on her earth science project.  She's looking into the scientific
removal process of food wax (i.e. wax on grapes) with toothpaste.  I did
not know this works, but she is trying to find information on the web to
which I also have trouble assisting.  Could you explain in detail how
toothpaste would go about in removing the wax?
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Five factors contribute to the removal of  food wax from teeth by
brushing:

1. The wax, being a high molecular weight hydrocarbon, does not
adhere very strongly to the tooth enamel.

2. The temperature of the mouth
~ 98-99 F makes the wax soft and makes its removal easier.

3. The toothbrush abrades the wax.

4. In addition, most toothpastes contain mild
abrasives such as calcium carbonate that assist in the abrasion to remove
the wax.

5. Toothpastes contain detergents which tend to keep the wax
suspended in the foam once particles of wax are removed from the teeth.
All of these act together to remove the food wax from the teeth.

Vince Calder
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