At the end of a long day, you’ve finished putting the kiddos to bed, and you decide to curl up on the couch and watch your favorite movie. Of course, you pull out a bag of buttery popcorn to go with it, feeling good that you haven’t chosen another more unhealthy snack. But wait a minute! Although popcorn is a low-calorie, no-sugar food, it can be harmful for your smile. Read on to learn ways one of your preferred snacks can damage your teeth and gums and how you can keep enjoying this movie staple while keeping your smile safe with the help of your dentist in West Seneca.
Unpopped Kernels
Popped popcorn is soft, airy, and easily chewed, but it doesn’t start out that way. Kernels are extremely hard and can wreak havoc if you’re not careful. Your teeth and restorations can exert a lot of force, but putting too much stress on them can cause cracks or breaks, allowing bacteria to access the more sensitive center of your tooth. As a result, you can experience tooth pain and require more extensive, and expensive, repair for your teeth.
Although many fall to the bottom of the bag, some popcorn kernels stay mingled with the popped ones. Even during an intense part of the movie, you need to pay close attention to the popcorn you put into your mouth. Make sure you’re not picking up unpopped popcorn before biting into it.
Stuck Hulls
If you love eating popcorn, you’ve no doubt experienced the sensation of having a popcorn hull, the hard, thin shell of the popcorn, stuck in between your teeth or between a tooth and the gum tissue. Most of the time, it doesn’t hurt, but it can certainly be annoying. If you leave the hull there for a long time, it can create problems. For instance, bacteria can access down deep in the gum tissue and cause an abscess or an infected collection of pus beneath the gumline.
When you eat popcorn, be sure to have some floss and a toothbrush handy. After you’re finished, drink plenty of water (not soda) and brush and floss your teeth to catch hulls that you may not even feel. Also, you need to visit the dentist regularly for deeper cleanings to clear out stuck hulls.
Caramel or Sticky Corn
Especially around the holidays, people sometimes like to put additional toppings on popcorn like caramel or other confections. The problem is that these substances adhere to teeth’s chewing surfaces and are difficult to remove. They also contain sugar, which feeds bad bacteria in the mouth. As a result, your teeth are at greater risk of developing cavities.
Although it’s best to avoid caramel corn altogether, you can eat it as long as you thoroughly brush and floss your teeth afterward. While you snack on it, you can also drink water to help rinse away the sugar.
Whether you choose to avoid this snack entirely or to continue eating it, knowing the risks can help you make a more informed decision and take the right steps to keep your smile healthy.
About the Practice
At Applegate Dental PLLC, our team believes that oral health isn’t just something you do twice every year. Our five dentists and our staff encourage smart choices every day, such as maintaining daily oral hygiene and making better choices in your diet, to protect your smile from harm. If you have questions about oral health tips, or if you would like to schedule an appointment at Applegate Dental PLLC, you can call 716-668-4646 or click here to contact us.
FAQs
Kernels are extremely hard and can wreak havoc if you're not careful. Your teeth and restorations can exert a lot of force, but putting too much stress on them can cause cracks or breaks, allowing bacteria to access the more sensitive center of your tooth.
Does popcorn have any negative effects? ›
If your popcorn has lots of salt on it, Smith says this can lead to water retention, causing high blood pressure. She also points out that eating too much popcorn can also negatively impact your oral health because unpopped kernels can damage teeth.
Do dentists recommend not eating popcorn? ›
So, is popcorn bad for your teeth? Unfortunately, it isn't the most tooth-friendly snack. If you like eating popcorn, just remember to brush and floss your teeth afterward. And when possible, try to opt for tooth-healthy snacks instead.
Can popcorn cause mouth sores? ›
Avoid problem foods like potato chips and popcorn that are hard and crunchy and can cut the inside of your mouth, which can induce canker sores. Citrus fruits, sweets, and coffee have also been identified as triggers. Pinpoint your sensitivities and drastically reduce or eliminate them completely from your diet.
Can popcorn cause bleeding gums? ›
Sometimes, they will also bleed while eating certain foods, like popcorn or corn on the cob. The sight of blood originating from your gums can be disturbing, to say the least, but understanding the root cause of this condition will allow you to better treat and prevent it.
Is popcorn bad for your gut? ›
Popcorn is a favorite snack of many people, they not only bring delicious taste but are also good for health due to their high fiber content. However, some people with digestive problems, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), should consider eating popcorn because they can trigger and worsen symptoms, such as pain.
Is popcorn good for the kidneys? ›
Naturally low in sodium and fat, popcorn is a good kidney diet snack. Do consult your dietitian about which popcorn to chooses, as some come with added salt, cheese, butter or nuts. DaVita dietitians have created kidney-friendly versions of favorite popcorn recipes. Consider popping up a batch for tonight's snack.
Why does my jaw hurt after eating popcorn? ›
The repetitive motion of your jaw will likely aggravate your TMJ pain. Keep your jaw strain-free by avoiding crunchy foods like popcorn, fried chicken, chips, and tacos. These foods can cause pain in the jaw because of the intensity of the bite.
Why does popcorn make my lips hurt? ›
Salty foods such as potato chips or popcorn might dry out your lips if you eat too much. And any food that sticks to your lips and causes you to lick them repeatedly can dry them out further, because saliva can dry out your skin's natural moisture. But these are short-term problems with simple fixes.
Why am I suddenly getting sores in my mouth? ›
The most common cause is injury (such as accidentally biting the inside of your cheek). Other causes include aphthous ulceration, certain medications, skin rashes in the mouth, viral, bacterial and fungal infections, chemicals and some medical conditions. An ulcer that won't heal may be a sign of mouth cancer.
Occasionally, you will bite down on a hard kernel. A kernel may be strong and the dense nature of the seed can cause major damage to your teeth. If you chew with your front teeth, you could cause a chip in the teeth. A majority of people will chew popcorn with the back molars where cracks are possible.
Why do my teeth hurt after eating popcorn? ›
Lactic Acid: Popcorn is one of the many foods that create lactic acid in your mouth. As you probably already know, acid and teeth are not a good mix. This lactic acid then strips the protective enamel from your teeth and leaves them more vulnerable to tooth decay, sensitivity, and other issues.
Why can't people eat popcorn? ›
Popcorn is high in insoluble fiber, which can cause bloating, distension, and flatulence in some people with IBS. If these symptoms are a problem, it may be better to choose foods high in soluble fiber, such as psyllium, oats, apples, and citrus fruits, instead.
Is popcorn inflammatory? ›
Snack favorites high in sodium, such as chips and popcorn, are also known inflammation causers. These salt-filled snacks will surely lead to bloating and swelling. Looking for a filling snack? Try nuts like almonds and walnuts.
Why is popcorn junk food? ›
When asked if popcorn is healthy, Olendzki responded, “Not really, no. One cup has about 116 calories, 1 gram of protein, 6 carbohydrates, and if you only put on about a tablespoon of butter and salt, you get 10 grams of fat." For context, most of us eat three cups in a sitting, Olendzki says.
What is the healthiest popcorn to eat? ›
The 10 Best Healthy Popcorn Brands of 2022, According to...
- Bjorn Qorn.
- Pipcorn Truffle Mini Popcorn.
- Newman's Own Organic Touch of Butter.
- Whole Foods 365 Organic Yellow Popcorn Kernels.
- Trader Joes Organic Popcorn With Olive Oil.
- Anthony's Organic Yellow Popcorn Kernels.
- How to Choose a Healthy Popcorn.
Here are some foods to avoid on a liver cirrhosis diet: Highly processed foods: fast food, convenience meals, canned soups, packaged snacks. Unhealthy fats: margarine, vegetable shortening, fried foods. Salty snacks: chips, crackers, pretzels, microwave popcorn.
