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at Dental Associates of Moreno Valley will tell you more about how you might be able to avoid movie-snack tooth damage.

Unpopped Kernels

The enticing smell of hot buttered popcorn can be too much to resist as you walk past the snack bar at your local movie theatre. Of course, we’re all aware of the potential health issues of eating high sodium/high fat foods like movie theatre popcorn. You should also be aware of the potential dangers to your teeth every handful has. You may be at risk for biting down on what some people refer to as an “old maid,” (i.e. an unpopped popcorn kernel). These can be very common causes of cracked or broken teeth. Try a few shakes of the bag or container as you munch to get those bad boys down to the bottom. Also, try to take it slower, eating just a few pieces of popped corn at a time. Meanwhile, chew well and carefully, as the layers of popcorn husk can get stuck in your gingival tissues. If you don’t remove them within a short time, you could end up with tooth pain or even infection.

Candy is Dandy

Sugary treats balance salty popcorn perfectly. Unfortunately, many of the candies that are available from the movie theatre concession stand are sticky and hard on teeth. Chocolate covered caramels as hard as small rocks, red licorics that sticks in your teeth tempting bacteria to feed and produce damaging acid, and gummy candies made to be extra sour (and thus acidic) can all lead to tooth decay. The good news about chocolate is that it contains calcium which can be slightly beneficial to teeth. If you choose dark chocolate, you can even thwart bacteria thanks to a component called theobromine. In general, though, just be sure to rinse with water after your snacking, and brush and floss your teeth when you return home from your movie excursion.

Dental Checkups from Moreno Valley, CA Dentists

To keep your teeth healthy, be sure to visit your dentists in Moreno Valley, CA for a checkup and cleaning. We can also help with any of your general dentistry needs. To schedule an appointment at our Moreno Valley, CA dentist office  contacting us at (951) 697-6800. Located in the 92533 area, we proudly serve patients from Moreno Valley and all surrounding communities.