College football is a time-honored tradition here in Idaho. And like any football fan, who doesn’t love a good tailgating party?

Your teeth, however, end up enduring unhealthy snacking and alcohol-swigging. It only takes a little precaution to ensure that you don’t compromise your dental health.

Here are a few tips that will help you make the most of tailgating without putting your teeth at risk:

Steer clear of binge drinking! Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol is often associated with tailgating, especially when your favorite team has that rival game coming up. Do what you can and avoid it! Alcohol is detrimental to teeth and poses great risks to oral health when consumed in large quantities. Alcohol decreases saliva production and causes dehydration, which can promote the growth of bacteria. Drink responsibly and your smile will thank you.

Hydrate by drinking lots of water. There are many advantages to drinking water are plenty, and your teeth and gums benefit greatly from this healthy habit. While at a tailgate event, make sure you have plenty of water handy and drink frequently to beat dehydration.

Your teeth aren’t tools! Your teeth are strong, but they can still be damaged! You may think opening those beer bottles with your teeth looks cool, but it puts you at immediate risk for many oral hazards. A freak accident could leave you with a serious injury. Apart from the risk of chipped enamel or even a cracked tooth, a beer opening session with your teeth could loosen them permanently.

Follow these tips while you root for your favorite football team this season, and your teeth are sure to be on the winning side.