Search trends over the past ten years show which five states are most interested in teeth whitening. Some of the states that showed up in our Google trends results are also listed high up on Imagix Dental’s report, “Where in the U.S. People are Likely to Have Discolored Teeth.” Imagix based their findings on each state’s consumption of teeth-staining beverages and the likelihood of smoking, but not all of our top results correlated with theirs. Could this reveal that diet and lifestyle don’t always come into play when patients want whiter teeth? 

Most Popular States for Teeth Whitening According to Google Trends 

1. New York

While the Central Perk coffee shop on Friends may have been fictitious, there are plenty of real cafes in New York City that sell the teeth-staining beverage. According to Imagix, residents of New York have access to 20 coffee shops per 100,000 people. 

But coffee isn’t the only way New Yorkers stain their teeth. Annually, each person in the state over 21 is estimated to drink more than 4 gallons of wine, and New York City has the fourth most wine bars in the country per capita. Red wine contains acid, tannins, and chromogens – which break down enamel and make teeth dull, stained, and discolored. 

Combined with the fact that New York is known as the most beauty-obsessed state in the country, it’s no surprise the city’s residents want whiter teeth. Google Trends data show that they search for ‘skincare’, ‘makeup’ and ‘hair care’ significantly more than residents in other states, and in the past year, “How to Whiten Teeth” received a Google Trends interest score of 65 in New York. 

2. Utah

With the lowest percentage of smokers in the country (9%), less than two gallons of wine per person, and only 18 coffee shops per capita, it might seem baffling that Utah had one of the highest online search rates for teeth whitening. But headquarters for the Church of Latter Day Saints is located in Utah, and more than 60% of the state’s residents practice the Mormon religion. Consuming alcohol, tea, and coffee are strictly prohibited by the Church, so many members drink soda for their caffeine fix. 

Recently, a drink trend in Utah called Dirty Soda—a mix of soda, cream, flavored syrup, and sometimes even fruit juice—has taken social media by storm. Not only does soda cause brown or yellow discoloration on teeth; the combination of acid mixtures and dyes breaks down enamel. Add the sugar in syrup or juice, and you have a recipe for cavities as well. Perhaps in addition to Googling “teeth whitening,” Utah residents who drink this concoction should be Googling “dentists near me.” 

3. Kansas

Kansas residents drink less wine than any other state except Oklahoma, but Kansas City is one of the top 10 U.S. cities where people smoke. Cigarettes contain tar, which makes teeth turn brown, and nicotine, which is colorless until mixed with oxygen – and then it turns teeth yellow. Some evidence suggests smokers in Kansas could be the ones showing the most interest in whiter teeth on Google. 

4. Nevada

It would be nice to think that residents in the city that never sleeps Google “teeth whitening” because they want their teeth to match the bright lights. But according to Imagix findings, Las Vegas is one of the top six cities where people are likely to have discolored teeth. Perhaps it’s because the people of Nevada drink more than 5 gallons of wine each year, and nearly 20% of Las Vegas residents smoke. 

5. Massachusetts

Massachusetts has quite a few coffee shops, at 25 per capita. They also drink a lot of wine. But one additional teeth-discoloration culprit is cranberry juice – the official drink of the state. Commercial cultivation of cranberries began in the early 1800’s in Massachusetts, and Ocean Spray is headquartered there now. Unfortunately, even though cranberry juice has lots of health benefits, the dark colored beverage is liable to stain teeth. 

Teeth Whitening Can Be Beneficial Wherever You Live

Whether or not you live in one of the states that searches frequently for teeth whitening, you may be interested in how to achieve a brighter smile. Some at-home whitening options can be very effective depending on the severity of stains. You can try kinds of toothpaste containing hydrogen peroxide, whitening strips, and kits with LED lights. If those don’t work, speak to your dentist about professional solutions. Sometimes, a good cleaning can remove surface stains, but it may require in-office bleaching or whitening with lasers for best results. 

If you’re ready to find out more about achieving a brighter smile, contact a dentist near you today.