If you’ve ever been to a movie theater, you’re probably quite familiar with popcorn. This centuries-old snack is loved across the world for being light, crunchy, poofy, tasty, and easy to dress up with all sorts of spices, sauces, and toppings. While this makes it a delightful snack that even has some nutritional value, it can damage your teeth if you are not careful while eating it. Here are a few dental hazards that come with eating popcorn and how to enjoy this wonderful treat without hurting your teeth.
Unpopped Kernels Are Like Dental Landmines
Whenever popcorn is made, there are always kernels that failed to pop left in it. While the successfully popped pieces are light and soft, unpopped kernels are too hard for human teeth to handle. When you grab handful after handful of popcorn out of the tub, you’ll inevitably grab stubborn kernels as well, and it is incredibly easy to bite down much too vigorously on these rigid seeds. This can lead to cracks or chips forming in your teeth that will require the attention of a dentist to repair. In some cases, biting too hard on a kernel can fracture a tooth, causing a full-blown dental emergency.
When you’re enjoying your popcorn, chew carefully to avoid chomping down too hard on these enamel-killing hazards. Try shaking the tub to make many of these dense seeds settle towards the bottom where you’re less likely to grab them. It’s also a great idea to only grab a few pieces of popcorn at a time so a kernel is less likely to be hiding among them.
Popcorn Hulls Can Get Stuck in Your Smile
While not as suddenly destructive as unpopped kernels, popcorn hulls can be an insidious threat to your dental health. These hulls are the thin skins covering the kernels, and they remain attached to popped pieces of corn or distributed throughout the tub. While they can be safely chewed, hulls are rigid and can wedge themselves between the teeth or along the root under the gumline. There, they can feed the harmful bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease.
The best way to deal with this problem is to brush and floss after eating popcorn. This will get the hulls unstuck from your smile and leave your mouth feeling fresh and clean.
Popcorn is a tasty treat that’s hard to beat, but it’s not worth wrecking your teeth over. With a little caution and dental hygiene, you can keep your teeth in great shape throughout the whole movie.
About the Author
Dr. Marc Moulton earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry and completed a one-year residency program with the Veterans Administration Hospital. He is proud to be a member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and the Alabama Dental Association. His office in Birmingham, AL offers family, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dentistry. For more information on keeping your teeth safe while snacking, contact the office online or dial (205) 988-3360.