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Does Toothpaste Remove Egg Shells?

Published in Science Education 1 min read

No, toothpaste does not remove or dissolve egg shells.

The claim that toothpaste can dissolve or significantly weaken an eggshell is false. While toothpaste contains abrasive ingredients designed to clean teeth, they are not strong enough to break down the calcium carbonate that makes up an eggshell. Experiments suggesting this effect are often misleading or fabricated.

  • Eggshell Composition: Eggshells are primarily composed of calcium carbonate, a robust mineral compound.

  • Toothpaste Ingredients: Toothpaste contains mild abrasives, fluoride, and other components designed for dental hygiene. These ingredients are not formulated to dissolve minerals like calcium carbonate.

  • Why the Myth Persists: The myth likely stems from online videos or experiments that may incorporate other acidic substances or manipulate the results to create a false impression.

  • What Would Happen with a Truly Shell-less Egg: It's important to note that an egg without its shell is extremely fragile and would burst under even slight pressure, unlike how these faked experiments show.

Therefore, the idea that toothpaste can dissolve eggshells is demonstrably false.

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