14 Worst-Teeth Cities

These towns are no strangers to stains or decay -- hope your home didn't make the list

August 12, 2009 | by Sarah Carrillo | 24 COMMENTS

What makes for a beautiful smile? We asked Irwin Smigel, DDS., founder and president of the American Society for Dental Aesthetics (ASDA) and creator of Supersmile, for his criteria: Regular dentist visits, not smoking, minimizing your coffee, soda and red wine intake, and brushing and flossing. Other factors, like having hard water or a dry climate, can also stain teeth or create a dry mouth (which can hurt gums). We looked at these factors and found 14 cities that fell short on what it takes to have a healthy, attractive smile. If your city is on the list, it might be time to make an appointment with your dentist.

SEE NEXT PAGE: No. 14: Albuquerque, N.M.

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Interesting information--definitely there is a link to how much cola you drink and what you eat to how well your teeth will fare.

by TheDivaRose Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at 09:09PM Report as inappropriate

I feel like this isn't totally accurate...

by GingerDrink Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 03:21PM Report as inappropriate

I'm surprised Albany, NY, isn't on here. When I lived there for a short time, I met the most people (young adults included) with missing teeth. Apparently they don't put fluoride in the water there.

by princessempress_shanna Saturday, June 9, 2012 at 04:16PM Report as inappropriate

Yikes! I knew my city wouldn't be on the list though! :-)

by MizzPink Friday, May 18, 2012 at 01:59PM Report as inappropriate

As long as you care for your teeth you will be okay.

by beautybody Thursday, March 29, 2012 at 10:39AM Report as inappropriate

At least I know where NOT to move! =)

by powerwoman033 Sunday, March 18, 2012 at 06:13PM Report as inappropriate

Miami was voted best looking people by Travel and Leisure, we cant have bad teeth!

by miamishimmy Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 07:29PM Report as inappropriate

wow shocking

by Nicole2814 Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 07:53PM Report as inappropriate

Well that is horrible. I am glad I am not a statistic. I stay away from colas and eat clean,brush and floss and exercise.

by tiffany_gallehugh Monday, November 14, 2011 at 11:43AM Report as inappropriate

I reshent this.

by bksanf01 Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 08:39AM Report as inappropriate

I think this report, especially from my city, is ridiculouly inaccurate.. Nevada bad teeth? We live near Los Angeles.. where teeth are so white you actually see the teeth walking in before the people.. I have so many friends and co-workers, clients I work with that have excellent teeth because they do care about their teeth as far as I know.. I surely do and I find these ridiculous stories to be unfounded except for very poverty ridden areas. There is no way I would miss a cleaning, anything because teeth and gum health is extremely important. I work out all the time, take vitamins, I still drink Starbucks and my own coffee and I drink tea as well and I like red wine here and there.. My teeth are white, they're well taken care of and to state that people don't take care of their teeth?? well that must go by individuals... because some PEOPLE CARE ABOUT THEIR HEALTH AND APPEARANCE..

by NewYorkgal99 Tuesday, October 25, 2011 at 11:01PM Report as inappropriate

remind me never to move to any of these places!

by Bon_Bon Monday, August 15, 2011 at 12:48AM Report as inappropriate

eh, s;all good.

by yckitsmary Saturday, April 9, 2011 at 09:31PM Report as inappropriate

I'm not surprised with most of these cities on the list.

by volta Thursday, March 31, 2011 at 12:01AM Report as inappropriate

SHOCKED that Miami is on the list...it's standard practice to bleach, coffee or not.

by js3200 Monday, March 14, 2011 at 11:32PM Report as inappropriate

I liked this story

by LittleBunny Monday, February 14, 2011 at 04:23PM Report as inappropriate

i live in miami and people DO love their cuban coffee here! but i have also seen many beautiful smiles lol.

by kenya Tuesday, December 21, 2010 at 12:42PM Report as inappropriate

"If you live in one of these cities, or maybe your smile could just use a boost, check out our guide to the best and worst teeth whiteners here." Teeth whitening isn't going to improve your oral health, in fact whitening your teeth with rampant decay and advanced periodontal disease will do more harm than good. Stick to lipstick and mascara, and leave the dentistry to the experts please. Irresponsible journalism, if I do say so myself.

by smatrypants Sunday, August 23, 2009 at 09:46PM Report as inappropriate

I really liked this story!!

by Yodakim Sunday, August 23, 2009 at 05:31PM Report as inappropriate

Know what? I never got to find out what the 14 cities were because your site is so crammed with pop-ups and adverts that the individual pages that had the individual cities on them took more time to load than I have. This is rdiculous. I will NEVER go to your site again for any reason. This is a joke.

by TommyB Sunday, August 23, 2009 at 04:44PM Report as inappropriate

Um where did you get your facts? I find it extremely suspicious that ALL 14 states (well except NM) are the southern states, and it feels to me as though you are just trying to make it go with the stereotype. Although I do not live there anymore, I do not appreciate the statement, "Arkansas as a whole is not concerned wit their teeth" (not quite verbatim). Because that is just not true, and was an unnecessary rude comment.

by stacyq Sunday, August 23, 2009 at 12:50PM Report as inappropriate

Somtimes its not bad dental practice,But lack of good heath care programs.Most of the areas are have some of the poorest communities.

by zeden315 Saturday, August 22, 2009 at 09:25AM Report as inappropriate

Amen to needing major dental work. I think we need to make dental insurance affordable for everyone! Dentists seems to think that we have boocoo bucks to fix a tooth. No wonder people are crossing the border to get their teeth fixed. I would hate to have to resort to this!

by Brickhouse Thursday, August 20, 2009 at 10:22PM Report as inappropriate

I found this was a very interesting article indeed. There is only one thing that needs to be considered in this survey, LACK OF HEALTH INSURANCE. I don't live in one of the mentioned cities, but needless to say I have major dental problems that I would love to have fixed, but lack of finances

by iowagirl301 Tuesday, August 18, 2009 at 07:26PM Report as inappropriate

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