Testing and comparing toothpaste

[spooky]

Hey guys, My names Leanne I'm in grade 10 in Australia and am searching for an experiment to match my interests in toothpaste. Kinda strange I know.

 

but while I was watching TV last night i noticed that every toothpaste claimed to be the dentists choice. so I want to create an experiment regarding the efficiently of toothpaste compared to each other.

 

The main problem I can see with this is all the variables are going to be really difficult to control. So heres my question how can I create a fairly cheap re-creation of teeth and plaque?

 

I realize that using peoples teeth to actually carry out my experiments would mean that I could come to no certain conclusions due to the changes in situation,plaque and what the person ate from day to day as I test the different types of toothpaste against each other.

 

I've talked to my science teacher about this but he hasn't a clue either as to how i could achieve this. >.<

 

this is for my next experiment for school because we have to try and design our own experiment. any suggestions or assistance would be greatly appreciated.

[Klaynos]

<Disclaimer>I'm not a biologist, so the below is my best guesses for things to look into...</Disclaimer>

 

Teeth that have been removed? Animal teeth or bones?

 

Is there a way to manufacture plaque?

 

Alot of tooth pastes I see claim to do some stuff against bad breath and gum disease, bad breath is caused IIRC by a bacteria, so that could be grown I suppose? As for gum disease I've no idea how it's caused really..

[spooky]

human Teeth. I want to get a controlled environment. I have the time to grow plaque. the only problem is the infection control incase some not so nice things grow from food acids and bacteria. because plaque is a build up of these acids and bacteria from rotting food on the teeth.

 

Yes the dental van is at school at the moment I think I'm going to go and question some dentists in the name of my experiment.

 

Maybe they can sell me a pair of false teeth?...

 

Thinking of asking the uni down here if i can use their library to get info for this experiment.

 

And I have no idea if plaque can be manufactured but it should be possible with heat and time, I have access to a heat source at school and the like.