ALTERNATIVE DENTAL FLOSS

FROM SABA (MUSA PARIDASIACA)

STALK FIBERS

Submitted by:
Angelica A. Carbonel
Jaiza Cayle S. Siplat
Kristine Billy M. Tabaday

ABSTRACT

The study was planned at Baguio City National School Campus, Baguio City.
This study was conducted to make an alternative dental floss from the fibers of saba
(Musa Paridasiaca) stalk. The project was commenced from June to August 2014, by
manually gathering the fibers from the stalk by means of scraping it. After gathering a
said amount of fiber and had undergone sun drying. It was exposed to actual trials and
was observed that fibers made to dental floss has the comparable characteristics as
commercialized brands. Further, the saba (Musa Paridasiaca) stalk fibers made to dental
floss has revealed to be effective, that the characterizes almost the same featuresmof the
commercialized ones. Thus effective product of dental floss will be met through manual
process to be able to obtain the fibers. It was also found that more innovation would be
undertaken through the conduct of the researcher related to the study that would improve
and enhance the quality of the yarn.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE
ABSRACT

CHAPTER 1

ii

INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study

Statement of the Problem

Hypothesis

Significance of the Study

Scope and Delimitation

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

4-7

CHAPTER II

CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY

8-10

CHAPTER IV
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Conclusion

11
12

Recommendation

12

BIBLIOGRAPHY

13

ACKNOWLDEGEMENT

The researchers wish to express their profound gratitude to the following persons
for their generous contribution to the realization of the study.

To Mrs. Evelyn Nocelo for her valuable assistance in analysing and correcting the
data, and for her remarkable suggestions in emphasizing the pointers in order to come up
with a productive write up and product.

Our mentors who inculcated us knowledge to be used for our study. Classmates
and friend, for their unending support in the preparation of the study.

To our family for their love, understanding, encouragement, moral and financial
support and most of all to our Almighty God, for the inspiration he has accorded these
researchers every each of the day.

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Dental floss is a cord of thin filaments used to remove food and dental plaque
between teeth. The floss is gently inserted between the teeth and wiped along the teeth
sides, especially close to the gums or underneath them. Toothbrushes do not clean
between teeth or below the gum line. Used as an addition to tooth brushing as part of
regular oral hygiene flossing can reduce gingivitis and halitosis compared to tooth
brushing alone. In dentistry, floss is classed as an interdental (between teeth) cleaning
aid. A very cheap and accessible way to whiten stained brown/yellow teeth are through
rubbing portion will have transferred onto your teeth. A softening process,
mechanical fiber extraction, bleaching and drying.

Statement of the Problem

The study aims to make an alternative dental floss from Saba (Musa Paridasiaca)
stalk fibers. Specifically, the objective of the study is to:
1. Identify the specific components present in banana fibers.
2. Benefits of banana fibers as dental floss.
3. Is there a significant difference between the banana fibers as dental floss and
other commercialized dental floss in terms of the following variables:
a. Cleansing Feasibility
b. Whitening Agent
c. Tensile Strength

Significance of the Study

Dental floss nowadays is unusual in the community. This study aims to create an
alternative dental floss wherein people will find it more interesting and cheaper. Benefit
from bananas that are used already. The production of dental floss can increase the
demand in industry. In case of emergency, when you dont have a toothbrush you can use
the dental floss to whiten your teeth.

Scope and Delimitations

This study only tests the feasibility of banana (Musa Paradasiaca) stalk fibers as
alternative dental floss. This product takes many banana stalks to produce such long
products and needs more than just one host plant. It would be hard to make the product
acceptable and usable for facilities and work. The process of obtaining the fibers is
difficult and time consuming. The experience of the researchers will also affect the time
and the quality of the product.

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

The word banana is a general term embracing a number of species of hybrids of

genus Musa of the family Musaceae. It is commonly called as a tree. In the use of making
it a dental floss, we can say that it can be an alternative dental floss. In this study, no
chemicals were added and some results as the commercialized dental floss came out.

Properties of Fibers
Tensile Strength
Is indicated by the maxima of the stress-strain curve and in general indicates
when necking will occur. As it is an intensive property, its value does not depend on the
size of the specimen. It is however, dependent on the preparation of the specimen and the
specimen and the temperature of the test environment and material.
Ultimate Strength
The maximum strength a material can withstand when subjected to the tension,
compression or shearing. It is the maximum stress on the stress-strain curve.

Tension (Physics)
In physics, tension is the magnitude of the pulling force, or a similar object on
another object. It is the opposite of compression. As tension is the force, it is measured in
Newtons and is always measured parallel to the string on which it applies.

Hypothesis

There is a significant difference in the production of dental floss from saba (Musa
Paridasiaca) stalk fibers and commercialized brands in terms of:

1. The chemicals specially the whitening agent.

2. The specific components present in banana stalk fibers.
3. The tensile strength.
4. The cleansing effect.

Definition of Terms

1. Tensile Strength
The greatest longitudinal stress a substance can bear without tearing apart.
The ability of a material to resist from being pulled.
2. Fiber Plant
A plant that is a source of fiber, obtained from seeds, stems, leaves or fruit
that may be used in the making of rope or textile fabrics.

Relevance of the Study

The relevant or importances of the study to people are: they can use alternative
dental floss specially when removing something in their teeth. It is very accessible
because banana stalk in our region is not that hard to find. So this is relevant to the people
when having camping or out of town activities.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Conclusion
From the study, this (Musa Paridasiaca) banana stalk fibers as alternative dental
floss, has revealed to be one effective innovation on the production of dental floss for the
industry. Thus, productive and abundant production of the fibers would be possible
because of the abundance of banana trees in the country.

Recommendation
With both positive and semi-partial declining results but effectiveness of the said
product. We the researchers recommend further study to strengthen and increase the
production rate of the dental floss from banana (Musa Paridasiaca) stalk fibers. further
and innovative test in the tensile strength and cleansing effect. Innovations for easier way
of obtaining the raw materials and the production og dental floss. Presentable design of
the dental floss by the use of other materials.