Over time, the consumption of various beverages, foods, and certain habits can lead to teeth becoming stained. Drinks like coffee, tea, and red wine are the primary culprits for tooth discoloration, while smoking cigarettes can also cause teeth to turn brown. To assess the likelihood of individuals having discolored teeth, Imagix Dental’s research team devised the Discolored Teeth Index.
This index ranks each of the 50 states and major U.S. cities based on the consumption of teeth-staining drinks and the prevalence of smoking stains from cigarettes. Unlike studies on dental care quality, the index focuses solely on identifying locations where stained and discolored teeth are more common, irrespective of dental habits. Even seemingly healthy teeth can be discolored due to a higher occurrence of habits that cause tooth stains. Imagix Dental’s research team has now created an informative infographic highlighting the U.S. states and cities with the highest probability of teeth stains resulting from excessive consumption of coffee, tea, wine, and smoking. New Hampshire stands out as the state with the highest likelihood of discolored teeth, primarily due to a greater chance of wine, tea, or coffee stains.
In 2020, residents of New Hampshire had the highest wine consumption rate in the country, averaging 7.31 gallons per person aged 21 and above. Furthermore, the state boasts a high number of coffee shops and teahouses per capita. Notably, Google Trends data indicate that New Hampshire exhibits one of the highest search rates for “How to whiten teeth,” suggesting a proactive approach by many residents in seeking methods to enhance their smiles. Among the top three states with the highest likelihood of teeth stains, alongside New Hampshire, are Vermont and Rhode Island. These states also show an increased probability of residents experiencing tooth stains from coffee, tea, wine, and cigarette smoking.
