A recent study by affordable orthodontists at Celebrate Dental and Braces  analyzed data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Lung Association, focusing on dental health trends between 2020 and 2022. The research evaluated eight key factors, including the percentage of adults who visited a dentist in the past year, smoking rates, and the prevalence of binge drinking. Each state was scored out of 100 based on these metrics, which helped rank the best and worst states for dental care, highlighting the habits that lead to the brightest smiles across the nation.

 The state with the best dental care is Connecticut, with a score of 77.87. It was reported that 73.2% of the population attended the dentist in 2020, equaling a score of 9.15. Additionally, Connecticut has fluoridated 90.4% of public water systems, resulting in a score of 8.96; fluoride contributes to reduced tooth decay levels, which is why it is added to toothpaste.

Utah has the second-best dental care in the U.S., scoring 76.35. The state has the lowest adult smoking rate in the U.S., with just 6.7% of the population being smokers, giving the state an impressive score of 10. Smoking can lead to tooth staining, gum disease, and tooth loss, causing your dental health to deteriorate. Furthermore, 73% of Utah residents visited the dentist in 2022, giving the state a score of 9.04.

In third place is Maryland, with a score of 75.06. There are 71 dentists per 100,000 residents in this state, giving it a score of 6.94. Just 14.4% of Marylanders have been found to be binge drinkers, resulting in a score of 8.50. Alcohol can dehydrate the mouth and restrict saliva flow, which can increase the risk of gum disease and tooth decay.

Hawaii places fourth, with a score of 74.11. In Hawaii, 79.03% of citizens visited the dentist in 2020, the highest rate in the U.S., resulting in a score of 10. The state also received the maximum score of 10 for the percentage of adults over the age of 65 who lost all their teeth due to decay or disease, which is 5.5%, the lowest in the US.

In fifth place is Massachusetts, with a score of 72.74. The state received the highest score of 10 in the US for the number of dentists, with 84 per 100,000 people. In addition, 73.3% of Bay Staters visited the dentist in 2020, giving the state a score of 9.21.

Rounding off the top ten is Washington in sixth with a score of 71.28, California in seventh with a score of 68.38, and Virginia in eighthscoring 67.70. Minnesota comes in ninth with a score of 66.91, followed by Colorado in tenth with a score of 66.12

The data also examined the top ten states with the worst dental care:

Arkansas has the worst dental care, with a score of 23.94. Arkansas has only 41 dentists per 100,000 residents, resulting in the lowest possible score of 0. Another score of 0 was obtained for the number of adults who visited the dentist in 2020, with just 40.85% successfully having their teeth checked out.

West Virginia has the second-worst dental care, with a score of 24.91. The Mountain State also achieved the lowest score of 0 for adult smoking rates due to 21% of the population being smokers. Only 57.7% of adults visited the dentist in 2020, giving the state a score of 0.40. Moreover, there are only 48 dentists for every 100,000 people statewide, which translates to a score of 1.72.

Mississippi placed third, with a score of 26.63. The state has just 43 dentists per 100,000 residents, equaling a score of 0.46. Furthermore, 57.7% of the population visited the dentist in 2020, giving Mississippi another low score of 0.40. In the Magnolia State, 44.6% of adults over the age of 65 had lost six or more teeth, resulting in a score of 1.45.

In fourth place is Louisiana, with a score of 28.61. Just 38% of Louisiana’s public water systems are fluoridated, resulting in a score of 3.23. The attendance rate for the dentist in 2020 was just 59.1%, which is equivalent to a low score of 1.90.

Tennessee has the fifth-worst dental care in the US, scoring 34.53. The Volunteer State received a low score of 1.75 for adult smoking rates, which equates to 18.5% of the population classified as smokers. There are just 47 dentists per 100,000 Tennesseans, achieving another low score of 1.45.

 Also placed in the top ten are Kentucky, in sixth place with a score of 35.16, Missouri in seventh with a score of 36.20, and Alabama in eighth, scoring 36.58. Oklahoma is in ninthwith a score of 36.68 and Montana ranks tenth with a score of 39.01.

Dr. Kelcey Loveland, doctor of dental medicine from affordable orthodontists at Celebrate Dental and Braces commented on the findings:

“There are many benefits to good dental hygiene that are beyond just your smile. Annual trips to the dentist, at a minimum, are essential to make sure your teeth and gums are healthy, and your overall health is preserved," Loveland says. “Smoking can not only stain your teeth but also lead to more significant problems, some as severe as mouth cancer. Cutting out the habit will undoubtedly reduce the harmful impacts cigarettes can have on your teeth, gums, and body.

“As for drinking, it is important to moderate your alcohol consumption and practice good oral hygiene, as drinking excessive amounts can erode your tooth enamel and increase sensitivity. Many alcoholic drinks, such as wine, beer, and cider, are also high in acidity and sugar, contributing to discoloration and tooth damage.

“Although the dentist can seem daunting and is a great fear for some, regular checks can help prevent or treat issues that could get progressively worse if left alone. Brushing and flossing daily and maintaining regular dentist appointments will help maintain good oral hygiene.”