The Reason Spinach Leaves A Film On Your Teeth (And How To Avoid It)

If you've ever noshed on some spinach and felt an uncomfortable, gritty feeling on your teeth after — you're not alone. Nope, this isn't the universe telling you to give up on veggies, it's actually a very common phenomenon dubbed "spinach teeth." Aside from sounding like an unfortunate playground nickname, spinach teeth is a real, scientifically-proven experience caused by something called oxalates.

Oxalates are naturally occurring compounds found in spinach that, which can create tiny, insoluble crystals as you chew the spinach. These microscopic particles cling to the surface of your teeth, leaving behind that dry, filmy, and slightly rough sensation. It's not harmful, just a little unpleasant. And while oxalates exist in plenty of other foods, spinach contains them in especially high amounts, making it one of the main culprits of this odd dental experience. Even if you choose the freshest spinach at the grocery store, the oxalates are going to be there. The good news? Oxalates can be controlled and minimized with the right cooking techniques and food pairings, so you don't have to banish spinach from your diet.

If you're looking to avoid that weird film, the trick is in how you prepare and eat your spinach. Cooking it breaks down some of the oxalic acid, making it less likely to form those pesky crystals. To really avoid the unpleasant texture, consider the way you cook spinach. Boiling spinach is one of the most effective methods, as it helps to leach out a significant portion of the oxalates. You can discard the water after boiling to further reduce the oxalate content. 

Steaming spinach is another viable option, though it doesn't remove as much of the oxalates as boiling does. A squeeze of lemon juice can also dissolve some of the oxalates, cutting down on the residue (and, a splash of lemon juice makes for extra-flavorful sauteed spinach). Drinking water while eating spinach helps wash away lingering particles, keeping your teeth feeling clean. And if all else fails, simply rinsing or brushing your teeth after a spinach-heavy meal should do the trick.