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How to Make Elephant’s Toothpaste

October 10, 2017 By Delta Dental of Virginia

Elephant’s Toothpaste

This kid-friendly experiment, nicknamed “Elephant’s Toothpaste,” is a fun way to teach little ones about chemical reactions. And while this isn’t really elephant’s toothpaste, it sure looks like a paste fit to brush their 6-foot tusks. Fun fact: An elephant’s tusks are actually teeth—elongated incisors, to be exact.

Ingredients for elephant’s toothpaste:

  • Adult supervision
  • Safety glasses
  • Rubber gloves
  • Funnel
  • 1-liter empty plastic bottle (the ones at the grocery store filled with soda or sparkling water)
  • 4 ounces hydrogen peroxide (12%)
  • 2 drops liquid dish soap
  • 2 drops food coloring of choice
  • 1 package dry yeast
  • 4 tablespoons warm (almost hot) water
  • Small plastic cup

Instructions for elephant’s toothpaste:

  1. Put on your rubber gloves and safety glasses.
  2. Using the funnel, pour the hydrogen peroxide into the plastic bottle.
  3. Add the dish soap and food coloring to the mixture. Gently shake the bottle to combine.
  4. Add the catalyst for the experiment! Combine the water and dry yeast in the small plastic cup.
  5. Pour the yeast mixture into the plastic bottle and watch as the “toothpaste” comes to life!

How does an elephant really brush his teeth? For our long-trunked friends who reside at the zoo or animal sanctuary, their tusks are trimmed regularly to avoid injury. Staff members also inspect elephant teeth daily to ensure a healthy mouth.

For more fun animal facts, check out these resources:

  • Smiling Animals to Make Your Week
  • The Difference Between Cat and Dog Teeth
  • All About Shark Teeth

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Filed Under: Just for Fun

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