The Superbowl is a time for football, family and most importantly – food. However, lost in the tradition of overeating, complaining about the referees and admiring the advertisements is oral health. In fact, oral health is most likely the last thing on the minds of those watching the big game on Sunday. To help keep your smile intact, try to avoid some of these foods when enjoying the Superbowl.
Chips and Other Starches
Chips, crackers, and bread are Superbowl mainstays typically used for dipping. Unfortunately, starches like chips are terrible for teeth and contribute to tooth decay by wearing down enamel. This occurs when starch metabolizes into sugar, which is a breeding ground for bacteria that eats away at tooth enamel. If you’re looking for a mouth-healthy dipper, try substituting celery or carrots in place of starches.
Hot wings
A true Superbowl Classic, hot wings seem like the perfect finger food for game day, however, they can be very damaging to your teeth. Spicy hot wings are particularly bad for teeth because of how acidic they are. The average spicy hot wing is made from buffalo sauce which contains a PH level of 2.8 – which is nearly as acidic as a lemon! Exposed acid attacks on teeth can decimate enamel and leave them vulnerable to tooth decay. If you must have hot wings on Superbowl Sunday, we suggest choosing a flavor that isn’t spicy.
Soda
Soda and other carbonated beverages are loaded with sugar and other additives that can slowly destroy teeth. Sodas are awful for teeth because they are high in two of the worst things for teeth: sugar and acid. There are some sodas that contain more than the total recommended amount of daily sugar in one 20 oz. bottle! The high sugar and acid content can eat away the enamel that protects your teeth, and can lead to cavities. Instead of grabbing a soda, we suggest sticking to water during the Superbowl.
The Fruit Tray
This may sound counterintuitive, since the fruit tray is often perceived as the most healthy thing at a Superbowl party, but some fruit can seriously damage teeth. Fruits such as oranges, grapes and pineapple all have elevated levels of acid that can damage teeth. If you decide to eat fruit during the big game, we suggest rinsing your mouth out with water to avoid prolonged exposure to acid.
Enjoy the Game, and Eat Responsibly
It’s easy to overindulge during the Superbowl. This year, try to avoid foods that can harm your mouth, and drink as much water as you can to diminish the effects of acid attack on your teeth.
