Teeth Around the World: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly
Our world is full of different cultures with various beauty standards and traditions. These include teeth and how people around the world view and care for their dental digits.
When it comes to the best overall dental health, Denmark takes the #1 spot. With a DMFT (decayed, missing, or filled teeth) index score of 0.4, Danish citizens have pretty perfect teeth. Germany, Finland, Sweden, and the UK all have scores below 1.0, making them the five countries with the healthiest teeth.
In addition to being ranked fourth on the DMFT index, Sweden stands out for also having the whitest and straightest teeth in the world. These top-ranked countries have excellent healthcare systems, which can help account for the widespread healthy mouths.
Countries with the Worst Teeth
While access to healthcare is one factor in a country’s dental health, diets are another. Cultures that consume large amounts of sugar are more prone to dental caries, which lowers their country’s DMFT score.
At last count, the Philippines had the worst DMFT score, with 90% of their citizens suffering from tooth decay. India and Australia ranked second and third to last on the list.
Cultures that Don’t Brush Teeth
In some countries, people use alternative methods to clean their teeth and gums. Some cultures rely on a hands-on approach and use their fingers instead of toothbrushes. Indigenous tribes often use twigs, and other populations use tree bark.
Often, cultures and their people must rely on whatever is available, as resources, finances, religious practices, and many other factors can impact a person’s oral hygiene.
To learn more about your oral health, please contact Family Dental Care to schedule an appointment.
FAQs
When it comes to the best overall dental health, Denmark takes the #1 spot. With a DMFT (decayed, missing, or filled teeth) index score of 0.4, Danish citizens have pretty perfect teeth. Germany, Finland, Sweden, and the UK all have scores below 1.0, making them the five countries with the healthiest teeth.
Which cultures have the healthiest teeth? ›
Because diet plays a role in oral health, some countries have healthier teeth than others. These countries have the lowest rate of dental decay: Denmark, Germany, Finland, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, Mexico, the United States and France. Some countries in Africa also have low rates of dental decay.
Where does the US rank in dental care? ›
You may be surprised to learn that the U.S comes in at number 9 for dental care!
Which race has the most dental problems? ›
African American adults are more likely than other racial or ethnic minorities to have periodontal disease. Compared to whites, African Americans are more likely to develop oral or pharyngeal cancer, are less likely to have it diagnosed at early stages, and will have lower five-year survival rates.
Who has the most healthiest teeth? ›
1. Denmark – the number one country for healthy primary teeth. Congratulations to the Danes! Less than half a tooth per child is in need of critical care.
Are British teeth better than us? ›
Not really. From casual jokes to media portrayals, the myth that the British have worse teeth than Americans has played out over and over. But findings detailed by the British Dental Association suggest that this myth doesn't hold up against reality.
What cultures don't brush teeth? ›
It seems that the Inuit do not brush their teeth at all, and oral hygiene is delegated to a handful of water used to rinse after meals.
Which ethnicity has the biggest teeth? ›
For example, Africans have bigger teeth with thicker enamel, whereas Europeans have smaller teeth and a reduction in tooth mass (Harris & Rathbun, 1991; Shah, Boyd, & Vakil, 1978; Vaughan & Harris, 1992).
Which country brushes their teeth the least? ›
China leads the way on cleaning between teeth at 21%, followed by Italy, 20% and Spain 18%. Indonesia ranked the lowest at just 7%.
What state has the most cavities? ›
Here Are The States Where Kids Have The Most Cavities
The southwest has the highest proportion of third graders who have had some form of tooth decay, with 75% of Arizona third graders, 73% of Texas third graders, and 71% of California third graders having tooth decay experience.
Philippines. This island nation located in between the South China Sea and the Philippine Sea takes the cake (literally and figuratively) of the worst oral health in the world. The Philippines College of Dentistry found that nearly 90 percent of Filipinos suffer from tooth decay.
Who has the best dental in the world? ›
1. Denmark. Denmark's comprehensive dental care system emphasizes strong preventive measures, leading to a low rate of oral disease over a lifetime.
What ethnicity is prone to cavities? ›
According to the CDC report, some ethnic groups have higher rates of untreated tooth decay than others. It's more prevalent among African-Americans (46 percent) and Hispanics (36 percent), than Caucasians (22 percent) and Asians (17 percent).
What is the rarest smile? ›
The rarest smile type is the complex smile, with only an estimated 2% of the population possessing this smile. This smile is rare because it requires three muscle groups to work simultaneously when smiling.
What race has the most disorders? ›
Racial/ethnic differences in lifetime prevalence of mental disorders. Lifetime prevalence of any DSM-IV/CIDI disorder was highest among White respondents (45.6%), somewhat lower among Latino (38.8%) and Black respondents (37.0%) and substantially lower among Asians (23.5%; see Table 2).
Who has most beautiful teeth in the world? ›
Whether they have invested in cosmetic dentistry, restorative dentistry, or come by their memorable smiles naturally, these females have some of the most coveted pearly whites in Hollywood and beyond: Anne Hathaway. Halle Berry. Julia Roberts.
Which country is best for dentistry? ›
While the United States is generally considered the best country for dentistry, Sweden is the most advanced country in dentistry while Canada is one of the countries with highest demand for dentists. Moreover, Switzerland is the country with the most expensive dental care in the world.
Why does Denmark have the best teeth? ›
Denmark. Why is that? Well, a big part of it is that dental care is free for all Danish citizens under the age of 18, thereby making it easy to set a good precedent for dental health from an early age. While dental care is not free for adults in Denmark, it is state subsidized.
