This just out from the CDC: “Fewer smokers go to the dentist”
Uh…Really? The Maven sure hopes the CDC didn’t spend a lotta cash money on that research, cuz any garden variety dentist coulda told you that.
According to Fox News: “More than a third of smokers reported having three or more dental problems, … more than twice as much as people who never smoked.”
Further: “20 percent of the smokers said they had not been to a dentist in at least five years.”
And here’s the real kicker:
“Half of the smokers said they could not afford to see a dentist, a much higher proportion than non-smoking adults who didn’t go.”
Oh my dear…tsk, tsk, tsk…The Mave is s o w e a r y of that over-used, worn-out, threadbare, dog-eared excuse.
Here’s the numbers:
Average number of cigs smoked daily for typical smoker: 30
Average price of a Pack of Cigs: $6.29 (if you’re that unlucky puffer in NY, your average is $11.90)
Since one pack (20 cigs) is easier to calculate, let’s use that as our average daily inhalation:
Weekly expenditure: $44.03
Monthly expenditure: $176.12
Annual expenditure: $2113.44
And, drum roll please…
National average cost of dental cleaning and exam: $160
Hmmmmm…lookey there, that’s less than the average monthly for Cigs.
So, if you’re a member of the nearly 20% of the US who smokes…could you please start answering the question of why you haven’t seen a dentist since Carter was President or why you only see a dentist when you have a problem in an honest way? Try one of these: “I don’t care about my teeth” or “It’s not a priority for me” or “I generally don’t take very good care of myself anyway.”
But, please. Stop the Bull S#&+.
And BTW? You needn’t worry about “confessing” to the dentist that you’re a smoker. We know.
