The intended topic of my future project explores the potential effects of various acids on teeth: in particular, I would like to determine whether they are generally positive or negative for dental enamel. In doing this project, I will need to ensure full compliance with the outcomes of the CHEM301 course in order to successfully complete the work. In this short proposal, I will try to answer questions about exactly how I plan to ensure this compliance, that is, what steps and strategies I will take next.
Outcome 2 requires that I be able to ask chemical questions in the context of everyday life, that is, that I try to apply current knowledge in practice, not just within the framework of academic modules. My research topic most closely matches this Outcome, as I will be attempting to explore the effects of acids, that is, chemical compounds with a pH < 7, through a household example. Most people take care of their teeth every day and take a variety of foods, including those with natural acids in them: therefore, I seek to connect theory with practice and answer the question of the effects of acids on dental health. This becomes particularly relevant to the study of toothpaste, which is advertised as containing acids or to promote the consumption of fruits, which are known to be sources of natural acids (Ramírez et al., 2021). My future project will address the following scientific questions:
- Which acids can be considered beneficial for the teeth, and which can be considered harmful?
- How do acids act on dental tissue at the cellular-molecular level?
- Is the acidic effect on teeth related to their pH level?
- Which foods are the most destructive in terms of acid content?
I will predominantly use scientific research to compose a future project, which is Outcome 3 of this course. Specifically, I will have to search for relevant and authoritative information in digital libraries such as Google Scholar. To maintain academic integrity, I intend to carefully cite all information I find using the CBE style. In doing so, rather than using citations in their entirety, I intend to paraphrase the data found and summarize it. For Outcome 4 of this course, I will likely also need to use my graphic design skills to draw chemical reaction mechanisms. In addition, as part of this Outcome, I will be able to expand and summarize my academic knowledge of dental health and the factors that influence it. When I present specific acids, I will prefer to show their graphical representation using technology such as MolView, an online molecular editor, which is also the purpose of Outcome 5 and Outcome 7.
I intend to use symbolic formulations of acids, and I will have to show the migration of atoms and electron densities in the mechanisms. To do this, I intend to use standard entries from the Periodic Table so that my work will be easy to read for chemical scientists from different countries. To implement Outcome 7, I will try to use not only the planar structure of the molecules but also their 3D configurations in order to assess differences in stereometric isomers, if any are relevant: I will carefully sign all figures and refer to them in the text.
When discussing mechanisms in the context of the molecular action of acids on bone tissue, I will relate the properties of a particular substance to its structure. For example, when discussing organic fruit acids, such as citric acid, I will refer to the carboxyl groups of the molecules to assess the effect of electron density transfer. When examining the differences between different acids, I will show that such differences may be due to the structure of a particular acid. Meanwhile, the effects of acids can be due not only to their structure but also to the bonds that form when they interact. I will try to assess to what extent the nature of the bonding (hydrogen, covalent, ionic) can affect dental health.
Among other things, this effect can be accelerated by additional factors. For example, in dentistry, filler etchings containing acids are used; the use of ultraviolet light helps accelerate these reactions (Semez and Sambri, 2020). In this way, I will also be able to cover Outcome 8 by incorporating the context of specific chemical relationships into my study.
Obviously, I will receive feedback from the course instructor as I progress. For Outcome 1, I will be attentive and respectful of any criticism and try to implement the recommendations I receive to improve my project. The ultimate goal of following this Outcome will be to improve my work and help improve my research skills.
Bibliography
Ramírez, GM, Villar CC, Saraiva L, Benítez CG, Rubio CM, Malheiros ZM, Stewart B, Kilpatrick L, Romito GA. 2021. The effect of a toothpaste containing oleanolic acid in reducing plaque and gingivitis: a proof‐of‐concept randomized trial. Int. J. Dent. Hyg. 19(4): 450-463.
Semez G, Sambri CF. 2020. Use of Er: YAG laser in conservative dentistry and adhesion process. Las. in Oral and Max. Surg. pp. 77-89.