What’s not to love about popcorn? It’s tasty, easy to eat, and is the perfect snack for every occasion. However, getting popcorn stuck in between your teeth and gums is an uncomfortable experience that nobody wants to deal with.
Fortunately, you don’t have to choose between your love for popcorn and your dental health. Let’s take a look at how you can lower the chances of getting popcorn hulls caught in your mouth, how to take them out, and why you absolutely should remove them!
How to Eat Popcorn Without Getting Kernels in Your Teeth
When you’re preparing a bowl of popcorn for a movie or snack, pour a cup of water along with it! Drinking water every few bites can help dislodge and wash away any kernels from your teeth or gums. You could choose another beverage in place of water, but having sweet caramel corn with a soda might be a bit too sugary for the average person.
Also, it’s a good idea to make sure that you’re only eating the popped corn and not any of the unpopped kernels. Chew a bit more slowly and take smaller bites to lower the likelihood that a kernel gets stuck in your gum.
Tips for Removing Kernels From Gums and Teeth
Even if you’re careful when eating popcorn, there’s still a chance that a popcorn hull gets lodged somewhere in your mouth. However, there is no need for panic — there are several easy methods you can use to safely remove the kernel from your gums or teeth.
For example, rinsing your mouth with warm salt water can help loosen the kernel stuck in your gums and reduce any swelling. If warm water isn’t enough, using dental floss is another effective method. Slide the floss gently around your gum line in a “C” shape to ensure that you do not push the popcorn hull deeper into the gum tissue.
Additionally, you can also use the pointed end of a toothpick to remove a popcorn kernel carefully. Of course, take caution to avoid puncturing or injuring your gums in the process. Leaving popcorn kernels in your mouth can cause health problems, but so too can hasty toothpicking!
What Happens If Popcorn Gets Stuck?
While a stray kernel in your mouth might seem like just a minor annoyance at first, it can develop into far worse gum irritation and dental pain if you fail to remove it. When popcorn hulls and other kinds of food aren’t brushed out of your teeth, they can end up causing a bacterial infection.
This infection can lead to pus accumulation in your gums, which is known as a gum abscess. Gum abscesses are painful and can cause inflammation and an array of other oral problems, so it’s best to avoid this domino effect altogether by taking care of a stuck kernel sooner rather than later!
For Delicious Popcorn Flavors, Call Best Darn Kettlecorn Today!
At Best Darn Kettlecorn, we offer a variety of popcorn flavors, gourmet popcorn tins, and more that make for the perfect gift or snack for any occasion. Reach out today to learn more about the flavors we have and to place an order!