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We all know that the Super Bowl is more than just watching a football game – the experience typically includes a lot of snacks and snarky comments about the commercials. Seriously, the Super Bowl without excellent snack options is like wings without hot sauce.
But even though Super Bowl snacks make us very happy, they may not be good for our teeth. Here’s a round-up of the best and worst Big Game snacks, from a dental point of view.
What will America be eating on February 13, 2022?
The top snacks include dips and chips, pizza, and fried wings, according to numerous sources. Depending on where in the U.S. you live, the list could include tacos, seven-layer salad, small sausages/cocktail wieners, a cheese plate, brownies, or even a dessert decorated like a football.
Chips seem to be making a really big play this year. Frito-Lay has been teasing its upcoming Super Bowl commercial since mid-January, while Doritos and Cheetos will be starring in the “Flamin’ Hot Super Bowl” commercial featuring Megan Thee Stallion. And Pepsi isn’t running any soda ads, because the company thinks the 12-minute halftime show “has developed into the best Pepsi commercial” possible. Check out the trailer here.
It all looks so delicious, right? So, here’s what you should know about the snacks on your plate.
Bad Snacks
Before we jump into this list of sad news, we want to stress that we’re just looking at dental impact here – not whether a snack is a super-healthy choice.
And we’re not telling you to serve celery and plain water at your Super Bowl party either. There are some delicious things – like pizza! – that won’t damage your teeth (assuming you don’t chomp down on a particularly crunchy crust). And one day of indulgence is probably not going to ruin your oral health either, as long as you take good care of your teeth year-round.
That said, here are some snacks that your teeth fear:
Beer – From a dental perspective, the general advice is to stick to light beers, which are typically less acidic than darker-colored brews, due to a higher water content. These also won’t stain your teeth as much as darker-colored beers.
Candied Nuts – Yes, naked nuts are a healthy snack, but adding sugar to them can create an enemy for your teeth.
Festive Cocktails – Most contain fruit juice, are packed with sugar, and are acidic. The acid softens your tooth enamel, while the sugar feeds bad bacteria. And alcohol tends to dry out your mouth – this can be an issue because saliva is your body’s way of clearing away debris, bacteria, and dental plaque.
Popcorn – Popcorn is infamous among dentists for causing periodontal (gum) abscesses. Popcorn hulls – those rugged, rounded shells you find on corn kernels – can slip into the tiny gaps between teeth and gums and are often very hard to remove. If left to linger, they can cause inflammation that requires a visit to the dentist, ASAP.
Soda – You’re drinking liquid sugar. Sugar-free? Acid plus carbonation is a recipe for tooth decay. And colorful or dark-colored sodas can stain teeth, especially when the enamel has been softened by the sugar and acid.
Sticky Sweets – Things like caramels, raisins, goopy dessert sauces, and dried fruit dissolve slowly and bathe your teeth in sugar for extended periods of time. Yikes!
Wings – They won’t hurt your teeth, but the dips you’re likely dunking them in are probably packed with sugar that can harm your teeth, as previously mentioned.
Healthy Snacks for Happy Teeth
As stated above, some days you just want to eat fried wings, dips, and chips and not worry about the health implications. Or you might be in the mood to adjust your snacks a bit to make them a little bit healthier.
Think baked chicken wings instead of fried. Yogurt in your dips instead of sour cream. Interesting veggie options for dipping instead of the usual chips. There’s a world of options, no matter what your personal dietary preference happens to be. Google “healthier” and the name of your favorite snack and see what turns up. And when you’re planning out snacks, think whole grains, fruits, nuts, and lean protein.
No matter how healthy your snacks are, visiting a dentist regularly and maintaining healthy oral habits is essential. Ninety percent of dental decay is caused by oral bacteria, which can be controlled by good oral hygiene at home and consistent professional dental care. If regular dental care doesn’t fit into your budget, you can get healthier with a dental savings plan.
Dental savings plans are an affordable alternative to traditional dental insurance that can cut dental costs by 10-60% on most dental procedures. And while traditional dental insurance has waiting periods, pre-existing conditions, and annual maximums, dental savings plans do not. Learn more about dental savings plans today!