DID YOU KNOW THAT JANUARY 19 IS NATIONAL POPCORN DAY?
Popcorn dates back thousands of years and is a favorite snack when watching a movie at home or at a theater. In fact, Americans consume 15 billion quarts of popped popcorn each year!1 In addition to being buttery and delicious, popcorn is a common reason for emergency dental visits. But why?
UNPOPPED KERNELS
Before you reach into that popcorn bucket, be sure that you are eating popped kernels. Unlike their popped, soft counterparts, un-popped kernels are hard and could easily crack or break a tooth if you bite hard enough on it.
POPCORN HULL
No, we aren’t talking about Dr. Hull’s popcorn…there really is a part of the kernel called the hull! The hull is that thin coating that remains on the seed after it is popped and always seems to get stuck in between teeth. Flossing and brushing usually removes the stuck hull, but on occasion, it can become lodged under the gumline and causes discomfort. If brushing, flossing, and even some warm salt water rinses don’t dislodge it, give us a call so we can safely remove it for you.
1 Source: popcorn.org
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