National Popcorn Day!

Popcorn is a universal snack that anyone can enjoy. From sweet to salty and every flavor in between, popcorn is a staple whether you are watching a good movie or just having a snack. But everything good comes with a price! Popcorns price are those pesky kernels that get stuck in your teeth. Not only is it annoying, food debris like popcorn kernels that are left in your gums attract bacteria and could lead to a serious infection. So in honor of National Popcorn Day, here are a few tips and tricks to removing an unwanted kernel from your teeth:

Brush and floss!

First, try brushing your teeth. The bristles are designed to remove debris from your teeth and gums. You can also use floss to get between your teeth and gums. Gently work the floss between your tooth and gums. Use a forward and backward motion or up and down motion keeping the floss against your tooth to dislodge the popcorn kernel. Rinse with water when you are finished to make sure the kernel does not stay in your mouth where it can get lodged again.

No toothbrush or floss on hand? Here are a few more options:

·         Use your tongue: Gently stroke your tongue against your tooth to work the kernel out of your gums.

·         Rinse with water: if you have salt on hand dissolve a teaspoon of water in a glass of warm water and swish it around in your mouth. Regular water may work just fine to jostle the kernel loose but the salt will help ease inflammation of your gums.

·         Use a toothpick or fingernail: remember to be very gentle when using this method. Aggressive use of a toothpick can cause damage to your gums making them even more inflamed and ultimately make the problem worse.

If all else fails or the popcorn is lodged in an area unreachable to you, such as under dental work like a bridge or crown, call our office to see your dentist! It is nothing we haven’t seen before and we have special instruments to get into those hard to reach places. If you have any questions, feel free to give us a call at (281)646-8888.

So don’t worry about kernels, have your popcorn and eat it too in celebration of National Popcorn Day!