A Day at the Dentist's Office
Posted on: Sat, 01/19/2008 - 09:28
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A Day at the Dentist's Office
I've been seeing the same dentist for years. Every time I go in for an annual cleaning I get the "smoking will kill you" talk. It annoys me because its based in foolishness not fact. Every year I grin and bear it. Of course, this anti smoking lecture is immediately followed by the perils of smoke in my mouth, on my lips, and the biggest one of all: how much damage I could do to my teeth by clenching a pipe. Ok ... its all bullshit.
This year I did things differently. I never brought up the concept of smoking to the dentist. I kept away from any tobacco prior to going so he wouldn't smell smoke on my breath. I wasn't hiding it ... I wanted to see if there was any damage he might see without his anti-smoking zealot glasses on. You know what? Everything is perfect. I figured this would be the case. I knew I had no dental problems but just wanted to test him! And he failed the test miserably. I know now that this man is a true anti-smoking zealot. I know that if I mention smoking he'll jump on his bandwagon and take advantage of the position he has me in to lecture me for at least 30 minutes. And I know something else ... I know he's fired. There are too many good dentists and doctors out there for me to have to put up with an idiot.
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Rick Piatt
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my hygenist was the same way, oh the shit I got after a round with Plumcake scortch and the condition of my mouth. About two months ago for my cleaning she asked me if I quit the pipe. I told her no and explained what had happened the previous visit. She commented that my gums are perfectly healthy and it was very unusual for a smoker. Still, I think she is kind of a zealot, but also has some common sense.
Even if she had kept at me though I could not have fired my dentist, Don, the dentist, is just too cool.
Fume in pace, ckr
I know a lady who went to her doctor and as the doctor was listening to her chest, he asked her when she planned on quitting smoking...she never smoked or had any breathing problems in her life???
"If you can't send money, send tobacco." -George Washington to the Continental Congress, 1776
Yesterday I was in consult with a Dr as I prepare to make good on items #1 and 2 of my New Years resolutions and the "smoke or not" question came up I told him I smoke a minimum of 2 bowls a day.
As I prepared for the lecture the good Doctor told me he too smokes a pipe and that he hasn't found proof yet in all his studies that pipe smoking is harmful to your health.
After I got back up off the floor, we chatted shortly about tobacco (he prefers VaPers) and off I went (I hope he doesn't use rusty scissors for the procedure...)
My blog: Timberwolfer's Blog
I have gum disease in my family, so whether or not I always smoke a pipe (no chance in hell I'll ever quit), I may have to deal with it, but I have noticed that if I have a flare up in my gums, a pipe definitely does not help.
My humble opinion: if you have a genetic predisposition to a health problem that is "known" to be irritated by smoking, then you are taking a risk. If you take good care of your teeth and eat a good diet, you're pretty much in the clear.
Sincerely,
Matt
Perhaps it's about time I visited a dentist again. I haven't been to one in years. My genetics have granted me some sturdy chompers, but I think it's about time I get around to getting them cleaned and hopefully get a mark of approval from the evil mouth prodder.
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I went to a local dentist last year for the first time in a long time. Had the expected issues and got all cleaned up. Doc asked if I smoked. I said "a pipe." He said "you might think about quitting." And that was the end of it. Not a word since.
Joel
http://www.jspipes.com
"Yeah Doc... I might think about it, but not likely."
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MPC administrator, moderator and overall member wrangler.
My name: Lars Wiberg | My alias: slartie
My blog: website | My photos: Flickr
LAMY Safari
The last time I went to the dentist I was expecting this sort of thing, in fact when he commented my teeth were a little yellow I said "it's probably just the smoking." At once he yelled at me saying "That really has nothing to do with it, you just have to brush your teeth more."