Just a Random Dental Hygiene Thought

Everywhere I look I see ads for teeth whitening. I guess that's a good thing, in the sense that most people out there take care of their teeth, so dentists and dental product companies need to drum up business in some other way... so "why not encourage people to have a bright, shiny white smile?" these dentists must be saying.

I just had a random dental hygiene thought however... I wonder if it will ever be socially acceptable, and/or trendy to have one's teeth dyed another color. At this point in time, seeing somebody with, say red teeth is considered pretty gross, unless it's Halloween or it's a kid who just ate a cherry flavored lollipop.

But maybe some day down the road, you'll see kids picking out teeth dye colors to match their outfits, or rabid sports fans dyeing their teeth in their team's colors, or politicians taking on a new hue to impress a crowd. After all, who would have thought that tattoos, ear piercings, and hair coloring would be so popular just 50 years ago?

Just something to chew on...

8 Things I'd Like to See Disappear from America by 2010

Sure, there's more than 8 things that I would like to see removed from the American landscape. But, here's a start...

1. Paris Hilton: Need I say more?
2. Preposterous health insurance plans: There's got to be a better way than paying skyrocketing premiums for high deductible plans, not to mention having millions of people uninsured or under insured. I understand there are a lot of factors here, but I can't imagine the system being worse than it currently is.
3. Gas stations: I cannot wait for the day when I no longer have to fill up my car at a gas station. Granted, gas stations have served a long history as being that last resort for getting directions, grabbing an overpriced and undercooked hot dog, or squeegeeing your windshield, but every time I think about where the gas I'm buying comes from (a foreign country), how it gets to me (via sophisticated and dangerous logistics), how much it costs (a good 50 bucks a week for getting to work), and what it's doing to the environment (not much good, that's for sure), I want to gag. I also want to gag thinking about people who actually buy those hot dogs.
4. American Idol: Yup, I'll be the first to admit I can't stand the show. Are we this desperate for live music and up and coming talent that we have to watch a bunch of karaoke hacks sing other people's songs and generally make fools of themselves? Thanks but no thanks. I'll stick to real comedy, like The Office.
5. Bad teeth: It is too easy and affordable not to have presentable teeth in this day and age. Brush. Floss. Go to dentist. Done.
6. Toys, ad nauseum: I know too many kids who have stockpiles of toys, 95% of which are never used more than once (or even opened). I was an only child growing (still am!) and generally got what I wanted. However, I honestly didn't ask for all that much... I've always been tough to buy for because I have rather simple tastes. When I look at the gifts that people shower on their kids nowadays, I can't help but think about what a monumentally spoiled and materialistic society that will be leading our future. Good for the economy, but at what cost?
7. Bad advertising: It's everywhere. I work in the industry and sometimes I just hang my head in shame about the poor marketing that is done out there. Just imagine how much better this world would be if commercials/ads where entertaining AND effective at driving sales. There's got to be a way.
8. Wars: Well, I guess I can't have everything. But I can always hope!

Dental Floss: A String-le Hold on Your Wallet...

Sometimes I get the feeling that I'm getting ripped off when I buy something. Buyer's remorse, is the psychological terminology I suppose. But let's look at dental floss. I'm going to start with this key point:

It's plastic string.

Sure, it may be flavored, or it may "glide" more easily than others, but when you get right down to it, it's still plastic string. I cannot possibly see how it could cost more than 10 cents per package to make it. Add in the cost for the box and other packaging, and maybe we're looking at a 25 cent total cost. Let's be crazy and say it costs a buck to make, ship, market, stock, and whatever else for a premium, 40 yard box of dental floss.

Yet, I go to the store, even a discount store like Target, and a package of Glide costs $3.44 to buy this plastic string. Drugstore.com, sells it for even more at $3.89. Even at a high cost estimate of $1, this is a markup of more than 300 percent!!! Is that just loony or is it me? It's plastic string!

True, the lower end models cost less, but my feeling is that the cost differences aren't all that different. Some plastic string is better than others, but let's be real... plastic string is plastic string.

By the way, I recently read this article about cutting your health care costs (see tip #49) that says you can save $200-$2,000 per tooth by flossing everyday. And my trustworthy dentist verified this notion. So maybe I'll bite my tongue, swallow my pride, and just buy the stupid stuff.

Doesn't mean I have to like it!