Missouri ranks no. 3 in cola consumption, and all that sugar and artificial coloring can wreak havoc on your teeth's health and appearance. The state does have one of the lowest coffee consumption rates though, so that helps a bit. But soda combined with low dental visits (Missouri ranks no. 46) and high loss of teeth (ranked no. 13, with no. 1 being the worst), doesn't bode well for smiles in St. Louis.
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No. 11: Miami, Fla.
Florida residents love their coffee and wine, and that puts them on this list. They are no. 2 in coffee consumption and also imbibe an average of 4.09 gallons of wine a year per person* (the U.S. average is 3.02 gallons annually). That plus hard water and a rank of no. 37 in dental visits means there are some seriously stained teeth in Miami.
*According to Adams Beverage Group, which publishes the "Wine Handbook."
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No. 10: Las Vegas, Nev.
Fortunately for Vegas residents, Nevada ranks low on natural teeth loss (no. 44, no. 1 is the worst). However, it's also low in dental visits (no. 45), humidity (which helps keep gums healthy) and has hard water to boot. It's average 5.75 gallons of wine a year isn't helping keep teeth white either. Plus, its rank as one of the nation's fattest cities means residents may not be eating many teeth-healthy foods (like celery, apples and carrots) or getting much exercise, which boosts gum circulation.
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No. 9: Atlanta, Ga.
Atlanta has a few factors working against it. One, as the home of the Coke Corporation, it's no surprise that they rank no. 4 in cola consumption. That plus its rank of no. 9 in most teeth lost and no. 47 in dentists per capita means less than perfect smiles. Its one saving grace? Almost 95 percent of residents receive fluoridated water, which can help strengthen teeth (however too much can stain them, according to Dr. Smigel).
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No. 8: Houston, Texas
Houston residents drink more cola than anywhere else in the country. That plus their ranking of no. 49 in dental visits and no. 41 in dentists per capita doesn't bode well for healthy teeth. Their hard water can also contribute to stains and their ranking as no. 6 in fattest cities means their teeth and gums may be lacking in nutrients and circulation as well. If they want whiter teeth they'll need to put down the Coke can and pick up the phone to make an appointment with their dentist.
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.
