What Happens To Your Body If You Accidentally Eat An Unpopped Popcorn Kernel

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Everyone's done it at least once. Whether you're at the movie theater or at home, munching on popcorn inevitably means biting down on that one stubborn kernel out of over 400 kernels in a bag of popcorn that just refuses to pop. It's like biting down on a pebble, though oddly satisfying when it's half-popped. But chewing on an unpopped kernel of popcorn isn't without its risks. To find out a little more, Chowhound spoke exclusively with Dr. Whitney White, Aspen Dental dentist and practice owner, and Dr. Jason Singh, chief medical officer at One Oak Medical Group in Virginia.

It's unsurprising that biting down on one could send you to the dentist if you aren't careful. But it may be more of an emergency than you bargained for. As Dr. White notes, these types of dental injuries don't always heal on their own. Damage can range from a small chip in your tooth to a full-on fracture in which the tooth actually splits, requiring crowns or even root canal surgery to repair. "Popcorn kernels can also damage dental work and lead to gum infections if hulls get stuck," she says. That means that an unpopped popcorn kernel can present a risk to crowns, fillings, veneers, or composite bonding, making biting down on one a painful — and potentially expensive — mistake.

If you do accidentally chomp down on an unpopped popcorn kernel, don't panic. You can eat sunflower seeds without ruining your teeth. So chances are, nothing's wrong. But if you're in pain, double-check by heading to the dentist. When it comes to dental care, putting off treatment can lead to serious consequences, according to Dr. Whitney White. "Delaying care can lead to more damage, especially if the nerve becomes involved or the tooth weakens further."

But it's not always the tooth that's the issue. "One issue I see often is a popcorn hull getting lodged under the gumline," she explained. "At first, it may seem minor, but within a few days, it can turn into a painful gum abscess that requires professional treatment." If anything like that happens, you're probably better off checking in with your dentist sooner than later. "Bottom line — if there's trauma to your tooth or gums, swelling, or anything that doesn't feel normal, it's best to be evaluated by a dental professional before it gets worse. Don't try to tough it out. Early intervention is key."

Fortunately, you're probably better off swallowing an unpopped kernel whole than biting down on it first. According to Dr. Jason Singh, humans do lack the enzyme necessary to digest the shells of corn kernels. But swallowing one is rarely a cause for concern. He notes that it travels through the digestive system mostly unchanged, so for most people, it's no riskier than eating any other form of dietary fiber.

That said, Dr. Singh did warn that in rare cases, swallowing an upopped kernel could be dangerous. "[It] may contribute to complications in people with diverticulosis (I've had two cases of this), intestinal strictures from conditions like Crohn's disease, or, very rarely, intestinal obstruction if multiple kernels create a mass," he said. In layman's terms, that means that if you have a health condition that causes gut problems, a whole bunch of unpopped kernels clumping together and causing a blockage might present a risk, however unlikely. So if you experience severe abdominal pain for more than six hours, persistent vomiting, no bowel movements over three days, a fever with abdominal symptoms, or rectal bleeding, you need to see a doctor.

The best way to avoid it is to pop your popcorn on the stovetop in foil, shaking it to make sure you pop all those kernels. You can also use Alton Brown's stainless steel bowl method. If you prefer a more hands-off approach, the Presto PowerPop microwave popcorn popper and the Presto PowerCup microwave concentrators that goes with it are available on Amazon, and while you can use the bowl without them, the PowerCups lead to fewer unpopped kernels.