According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 35% of adults have gone over a year without seeing a dentist. That could be explained by several factors, including a fear of dentists, and/or not being able to afford one. Of course, there are things you can do on your own - brushing and flossing - but that will only get you so far.

ALSO READ: Illinois is Ranked as One of the Best Places to Raise a Family in 2025

Dental health is an important part of your overall health, and some states are seemingly better than others. WalletHub published a report of the States with the Best & Worst Dental Health. They compared each state across 25 key indicators of dental wellness - the two main categories being Dental Habits & Care, and Oral Health.

Illinois Dental Health is Ranked #1 in America

Illinois earned a #1 ranking in the Oral Health category and a #9 ranking for Dental Habits & Care. Other factors that led to the Land of Lincoln earning the top spot include a low percentage of residents experiencing mouth-related pain or sleep issues and a minimal share of people with poor or fair oral health. Contributing factors include widespread access to fluoridated water, extensive Medicaid dental benefits, and a high rate of adolescent dental visits, which help build a foundation for lifelong oral health.

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Curious to see how your state stacks up? Just scroll over the map below to see the rankings for the rest of the country. And if you'd really like to go in-depth, you can see the FULL REPORT here.

Source: WalletHub

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