An Attempt to Prevent Tooth Decay: Neutralizing the Acid
Produced by Bacteria in the Mouth by Mysty Shaver Faculty
advisor: Dr. Brian Lenzmeier The degradation of the calcium
phosphate enamel of teeth is caused by an acidic environment.
This is also known as tooth decay or the formation of cavities.
Acid is produced through the fermentation of ingested and
chemically produced sugars. This process is carried out by a
wide variety of bacteria found in the human mouth. I am
attempting to neutralize the acidic conditions created as a
result of this process by using common biological buffers, such
as potassium phosphate and tris. In using minimal growth medium
with the pH indicator, phenol red, and varying concentrations of
buffers, I can monitor acid production both quantitatively, by
pH, and qualitatively, by indicator color change. To each test
tube of growth medium, I added the sugar being studied. Mouth
samples were taken using a sterile loop, were dried, and then
placed within the test tube. My preliminary r