{"id":369,"date":"2022-09-08T01:43:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-08T01:43:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drlmetzger.com\/blog\/?p=369"},"modified":"2022-09-28T00:36:40","modified_gmt":"2022-09-28T00:36:40","slug":"popcorn-and-oral-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drlmetzger.com\/blog\/popcorn-and-oral-health\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Ways Popcorn Can Damage Your Teeth"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Popcorn is a popular snack for those going to the movies, on picnics, or just curling up at home with a good book. This salty, buttery treat can even be relatively healthy if you use the right ingredients. As much as people love popcorn, it isn\u2019t the best option for your smile. Read on to learn about four ways that popcorn can negatively affect your oral health and what you can do to prevent<\/a> them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

#1: Your Teeth and Acid Don\u2019t Mix Well<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When people think about tooth decay, sugar is often the first culprit to come to mind. Though it\u2019s true that sweets can raise your risk of developing cavities, they aren\u2019t the only things that can harm your smile. Lactic acid is a compound found in popcorn. Acid is bad for your teeth because it damages the enamel, which makes you more susceptible to decay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2: Popcorn Hulls Fit Perfectly Between Teeth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The thin coating that surrounds popcorn kernels are called husks. They are the perfect size to fit between your teeth and can also get lodged in your gums. The longer they stay there, the more time harmful oral bacteria will have to feed off of them and release acids that damage your enamel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3: Unpopped Popcorn Kernels Mean Bad News<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When making popcorn, there are sure to be at least a few kernels that remain unpopped. If you accidentally bite down on these kernels, this can cause your teeth to chip, crack, or fracture. You\u2019ll need to make an emergency visit to your dentist to have the tooth repaired before the damage gets any worse or causes other oral health issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4: Added Toppings Can Lead to Tooth Decay<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Though classic popcorn often consists of just salt and butter, there are a million different ways to mix it up. Some people enjoy turning this snack into a dessert by adding toppings like caramel and chocolate. As tasty as doing this may be, the sugar in these popular toppings feeds the bacteria in your mouth that cause tooth decay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4 Tips to Prevent Popcorn from Hurting Your Smile<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, there are several things that you can do to keep your favorite theater treat from harming your oral health, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n