1. Am I grinding my teeth?
Your dentist should examine your teeth to see if they're worn. You could be grinding them at night and not know it.

2. What should I do to keep my teeth and gums healthy?
A dental hygienist should demonstrate proper brushing and flossing and point out areas you tend to miss.

3. Did you find anything that I should tell my doctor about?
Your dentist may be the first to see signs of a systemic disease, like osteoporosis. Dental X-rays may show, for instance, that the triangular spaces at the bottoms of your teeth are getting bigger. "You have to make a clinical judgment on whether it's osteoporosis or just wear and tear," says dentist Cindi Sherwood. "Dentists can detect changes because people may see them more regularly than their physicians."

4. Did you screen me for oral cancer?
Early detection is key, and initial signs (see Common Dental Problems) may not be obvious to you. Unfortunately, most oral cancers are discovered when the disease has advanced to the point where it's difficult to treat.

5. How often should I come in and why?
There's no science behind the guideline to see a dentist every six months. Patients with a tendency toward periodontitis may need quarterly cleanings and checkups. Others may need them only annually.

One Question for You

Did you discuss your overall health with your dentist?
Various conditions can complicate dental procedures. Patients with a history of bacterial endocarditis (an infection of the heart's inner lining), an artificial heart valve, or heart-valve defects, among other conditions, should take antibiotics before a dental cleaning to kill bacteria that might enter the bloodstream during the process. People on blood thinners may need to have their medications adjusted before undergoing dental surgery. And to avoid adverse interactions with anesthetics, a dentist must take a patient's other medications into account. Tricyclic anti-depressants mixed with local or general anesthetics, for instance, can cause severe respiratory problems.