Protecting Your Teeth during Tailgating Season

Top 4 Ways to Help Protect Your Teeth

Football season is here and that means it is time to start tailgating and attending football parties. The one thing that makes football tailgating great is all the delicious food and drink we get to have while celebrating our favorite team with family and friends. Although tailgating foods are fun – barbeque, chips, and dips and great beers - they can cause a lot of wear and tear on our teeth. Here is how you can enjoy football tailgating this season while protecting your smile with these four easy tips.

1. Drink Water: One of the easiest ways to take care of your mouth and smile is to keep it hydrated. A dry mouth can bring all kinds of problems, including cracked skin and bad breath. Drinking plenty of water can help to keep your mouth moist and happy.
2. Use a Toothpick or Floss: Many tailgating foods are notorious for getting trapped in teeth, like corn on the cobb and meats. Instead of picking your teeth, which is rather unflattering, bring a few toothpicks– stepping into the bathroom to use a toothpick or floss will help keep food from sitting on your teeth and causing damage and will be a little more socially acceptable than sticking your finger in your mouth and trying to pick out the remains with your nail.
3. Keep Beer Drinking to a Minimum: For many football fans, food and beer go hand in hand. While it is OK to have a beer or two during a tailgate, be careful not to overdo it. Beer can cause your mouth to become dry, and as mentioned in point number one, this can mean big trouble for your mouth. When drinking, alternate between alcoholic drinks and water to stay hydrated.
4. Keep Tooth-Friendly Foods in Mind: When looking over the tailgating spread, keep your tooth-friendly foods in mind. Chicken can help to reinforce the enamel on your teeth while fresh, firm fruits like apples and pears will contain water to help keep your mouth moisturized. If you are sure fellow tailgaters will not consider bringing these types of foods, bring them yourself – everyone will enjoy a healthy change of pace from the regular tailgating spread!

Tailgating season does not have to undo all of your healthy mouth habits. By taking advantage of these easy tips, it is possible to enjoy tailgating before your favorite team plays without having to worry too much about keeping your teeth healthy. So grab some water and your toothpicks and enjoy the season!

The beginning of the season is a great time for a checkup if you have not had one yet. Before tailgating season gets into full swing, sign up for Wellness Dental Plan to receive as much as 20 percent of regular dental visits. For more information about our discount dental plans , click here.

*Photo Courtesy of William F. Yurasko via Creative Commons License