If acid neutralises base & vice-versa . Then how toothpastes neutralises the effect of formic acid (bee sting ) . Formic acid has pH 2.3 & toothpaste 6.8 both are acidic , so how ?

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Solution

1. Those toothpastes that have pH = 6.8 have whitening agents in them. These whitening agents are active in slightly acidic conditions.

2. However, these pastes also have basic substances in them, that neutralise the acidic content in the mouth.

3. pH of toothpaste is combined pH of all the substances present in it. But in mouth they all disperse in aqueous solution and do their respective jobs such as whitening, neutralising etc.

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Match the following problems with their remedies:

(i) Plaque (ii) Acidity (iii) Bee sting

(a) Baking powder (b) Toothpaste (c) Antacid

K O H

K_{a} (H C O O H) = 2 \times 10^{- 4}

p H

(log 2 = 0.3010)

K O H

K_{a} (H C O O H) = 2 \times 10^{- 4}

p H

(l o g 2 = 0.3010)

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