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Halloween Candy Science Experiments; Blow your mind, not your teeth.

Michael Wahl • Oct 22, 2019

Who said playing with your food was a bad thing? When you collapse on the couch after days of fall festivals and trick-or-treating with over a pound of candy, we suggest you reconsider that advice. Why not use some of that candy to learn something new, instead of downing it all as you binge-watch your favorite show? Last week we posted some ideas for giving away your candy, but if that’s not your thing we’ve got another idea. Here’s a collection of some of the internet’s best candy science experiments. We hope you find one that energizes you to give it a try. If you try it out, be sure to let us know how it went in the comments!

 

5. Skittles Stratification

Candy — Colorado Springs, Co — West One Family Dental

This experiment is very simple and you’re nearly guaranteed to have the supplies needed. With just a little bit of water, a plate, and a package of skittles you can create beautiful masterpieces that help you discuss stratification with your kids. Check out the blog Little Bins for Little Hands for detailed instructions and extensions!

4. Floating Letters

M&M’s are famous for melting in your mouth, not your hand. That’s because there are two different parts to the candy shell coating. There is a thin layer that is not water-soluble on the outside of the shell that helps protect the inner water-soluble layers. To see this in action, you can place M&M’s (Or Skittles!) in water and wait a few days. Over time, the layers come apart and you can actually see the clear shell and printed letters floating on the top of your cup while the inside of the shell with the color dissolves and mixes with the water. Steve Spangler Science has more details for you and instructions here. If you’ve got a patient kiddos, try out this experiment!

3. Grow Gummies

Teach your kids about the process of osmosis with this fun experiment! You’ll place gummy bears in water and salt water to observe how solutions of different concentrations seek equilibrium through osmosis. Learn more about the science and get instructions here.

2. Dancing Frankenworms

Make your kiddos squeal and giggle at these goofy dancing gummy worms! The science behind this one is a classic: the chemical reaction between baking soda and vinegar. But somehow no matter how often kids play with baking soda and vinegar, the explosiveness of their reaction never ceases to excite. This popular children’s blog Playdough to Plato shares the break-down for how to get your worms to wiggle.

1. Mentos & Diet Soda

If somehow you’ve been living under a rock or without internet, we would be remiss not to mention this now-famous experiment. If you drop Mentos into a bottle of Diet soda you get a 20+ foot geyser explosion for a few seconds. It’s messy. It’s explosive. That’s why it’s so much fun. Steve Spangler science has a very thorough explanation here for how to do this easily which explains the science behind it well. Basically, the surface of the mentos have tiny craters that create bubbles of CO2 and quickly release them as they begin to dissolve. All these bubble rush to the top at once, creating a ton of pressure that shoots the soda out the top.

6 Dumb Ways to Lose Your Teeth

By Michael Wahl • 01 Sep, 2020
Your teeth are not a tool. Ok, you might argue that your teeth ARE a tool for helping break down your food, clearly articulate words, and supporting your facial bone structure. And, you’d be right on those counts. What we mean here is a more basic idea of tool- an inanimate item which helps you… Continue Reading 6 Dumb Ways to Lose Your Teeth The post 6 Dumb Ways to Lose Your Teeth appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Is Nano Hydroxyapatite a Safe, Effective, Fluoride Alternative?

By Michael Wahl • 25 Aug, 2020
If you listen to an oral care specialist for a hot minute, you’re likely to hear all about fluoride. Fluoride is the go-to preventative tool recommended by Amercian Dental Association. And with good reason! The introduction of fluoride has revolutionized oral health. However, it does have some downsides. Too much fluoride can lead to fluorosis,… Continue Reading Is Nano Hydroxyapatite a Safe, Effective, Fluoride Alternative? The post Is Nano Hydroxyapatite a Safe, Effective, Fluoride Alternative? appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Are you Brushing Too Hard?

By Michael Wahl • 18 Aug, 2020
When you think of all the negative impacts of poor oral health, it can be easy to get aggressive with your brushing. Plaque build-up become tartar and can cause gum disease. Gum disease can lead to tooth loss and increases your risk of other more serious health problems. Plaque & tartar cause bad breath, dental… Continue Reading Are you Brushing Too Hard? The post Are you Brushing Too Hard? appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Mental Health & Oral Health: How They Impact One Another

By Michael Wahl • 11 Aug, 2020
While you may not think about it, oral health and mental health are surprisingly interlinked. Negative oral health can have an impact on your mental health, just like poor mental heath has a negative effect on oral health. Let’s look closer at this interconnected relationship and consider some takeaways. Poor Oral Health’s Impact on Mental… Continue Reading Mental Health & Oral Health: How They Impact One Another The post Mental Health & Oral Health: How They Impact One Another appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Benefits of Using Mouthwash

By Michael Wahl • 28 Jul, 2020
It’s late, after a long day. You’re probably ready to flop into bed and pass out. Sometimes after a long day of work, meticulous dental hygiene is at the bottom of your list. And we get it! Maybe you’ve often made the choice to skip mouthwash in favor of a quicker routine. But there are… Continue Reading Benefits of Using Mouthwash The post Benefits of Using Mouthwash appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Is Your Bad Breath A Symptom of a Serious Issue?

By Michael Wahl • 21 Jul, 2020
Do you find yourself popping breath mints or gum in your mouth constantly? If you struggle with halitosis, or bad breath, there could be an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. We’ve covered common bad breath cures here. Start with these common solutions, but if you’re still plagued by bad breath, it’s time to… Continue Reading Is Your Bad Breath A Symptom of a Serious Issue? The post Is Your Bad Breath A Symptom of a Serious Issue? appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Is Black Mold the Real Cause of Your Tooth Decay?

By Michael Wahl • 14 Jul, 2020
Tooth decay is a rampant issue among Americans. More than half of adolescents have at least one cavity. Cavities are the most common chronic disease for children 6-19. 9 out of 10 adults have tooth decay. Most of the attention to this issue focuses on diet as the main culprit. While diet is important, new… Continue Reading Is Black Mold the Real Cause of Your Tooth Decay? The post Is Black Mold the Real Cause of Your Tooth Decay? appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Extractions, Part 2: Caring for the Extraction Site

By Michael Wahl • 07 Jul, 2020
So, you’ve had a tooth extracted. There are many reasons why this may have been the right choice, as you can read about in our blog from last week. You can have a huge impact on how well your mouth heals and your pain levels by caring for your tooth extraction site. While not every… Continue Reading Extractions, Part 2: Caring for the Extraction Site The post Extractions, Part 2: Caring for the Extraction Site appeared first on West One Family Dental.

What You Should Know About Tooth Extractions Part 1

By Michael Wahl • 01 Jul, 2020
Teeth are an incredible asset. While we may be biased as dental professionals, take a minute to consider the usefulness of having your teeth! (Or, check out our blog here about the hazards of going without teeth!) However, there are times when the best decision for your health is to extract a tooth. Let’s take… Continue Reading What You Should Know About Tooth Extractions Part 1 The post What You Should Know About Tooth Extractions Part 1 appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Common Tongue Issues and What They Mean

By Michael Wahl • 23 Jun, 2020
In many of our discussions of oral health we emphasize the importance of brushing and flossing all sides of your teeth. But what if you begin to notice that your tongue is looking different? Did you know that brushing your teeth should include a semi-regular brushing of your tongue as well? Your tongue can become… Continue Reading Common Tongue Issues and What They Mean The post Common Tongue Issues and What They Mean appeared first on West One Family Dental.
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