The teacher sends a note to parents about the particular section of this project on the web site http://ndk.biz/home that will be done to allow the family to participate and understand where plaque grows on teeth and how to remove the plaque. Parents can come and help the project.

The teacher tells the class "Almost all cavities occur where the brush, toothpaste, mouthwash, saliva and chewing gum cannot reach plaque or food trapped between teeth and inside grooves on chewing surfaces. Each time we eat food is trapped and stays trapped even if we brush after every meal or snack". Also participants will have a strip of foam to apply food dye to front teeth to stain plaque they can see in a mirror, and to remove the plaque by rubbing the strip over gum margins and by flossing between teeth.

Three helpers are best to:-
1. Give each student a hygienic foam strip (left) and a paper towel.
2. Place a drop of food dye on the foam strip (left) and student wipes over front teeth to show stained plaque at gum margins in a mirror.
3. Tell student to remove plaque like a toothbrush by wiping the foam strip over gum margins with finger and from between teeth like dental  floss.

The teacher explains "The foam strip is soft and chewy with outer open cells that not only scour plaque and food from teeth but fill with saliva while chewing and force saliva inside grooves on chewing surfaces where 80% of cavities occur and the brush cannot reach plaque or trapped food. The chewing experience is more enjoyable with a small piece of chewing gum (Cut a strip of sugarless gum into 8 pieces. Excess gum prevents the foam strip absorb and expel saliva) Helpers give each student a piece of gum and tell them to chew with the foam.

Practical Lessons from this project can be added to school lunches and used at home as well as normal brushing and flossing.
Saliva can neutralise acid and repair demineralised tooth but it does not have access between teeth or inside grooves where almost all cavities occur.
Chew cheese to seal grooves before eating to prevent food being trapped so plaque cannot change sugar to acid.
Chew celery after eating to remove food from teeth and help saliva access to grooves and between teeth as well as gum margins.

Research with a glass model of a groove is another project for school or home.
The glass model shows how chewing forces most foods inside grooves and how some fibre foods like celery help displace trapped foods.
The foam strip helps force saliva and foods, even toothpaste inside grooves to displace trapped foods. Some hard to displace foods seal grooves.

The Glass Model of a groove is simply two strips of glass clamped together with a teflon gasket to represent the small groove in chewing surfaces where food is trapped each time we eat. Plaque changes sugar and starch in food to acid which demineralises tooth.
The photo below shows the Glass model of a groove seen on chewing surfaces of back teeth and a roll of teflon tape in the middle and one of the foam strips that are in the Kit. For more info, go to Research