Learn some of the surprising things your dentist wants to know about your health history.

The next time you go to your dentist, the receptionist might hand you a clipboard — or a tablet — with a form that includes questions about your health history. You might think: Why does my dentist need to know about my health history? Aren’t they just checking out my teeth?

They have their reasons, and they all have to do with keeping you as healthy as possible. Let’s look at 4 key questions your dentist might ask you about your health history — and why they need to know the answers. (We’ve also included 2 other bonus questions that you might want to have answered before booking an appointment with a dentist.)

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1. What medications and supplements do you take?

Knowing what over-the-counter (OTC) medications, prescription drugs and supplements you’re taking helps your dentist figure out what’s going on in your mouth.

Take dry mouth, for example. You may have noticed that some of the OTC meds you use when you’ve got a cold can make your mouth dry.

But they aren’t the only culprit. More than a thousand medications can cause dry mouth, which can affect the health of your teeth and gums.

Supplements may also cause problems in the mouth. Zinc supplements, for instance, may cause painful “ulcers or sores in the mouth or throat.”

2. Are you pregnant?

Pregnancy increases the risk of gingivitis. This early form of gum disease can cause swollen and bleeding gums. In fact, about 60% to 75% of pregnant women have this condition. That’s why it’s a good idea to get regular dental checkups while you’re pregnant.

3. Do you snore?

Snoring is often a sign of obstructive sleep apnea. This condition “happens when your upper airway becomes blocked,” temporarily stopping your breathing and causing you to wake up frequently.

One treatment option is a small dental appliance. Mandibular advancement devices are a type of oral appliance that helps reposition the jaw to create more room for air to flow in the back of your throat. Your dentist may also collaborate with your primary care doctor (PCP) to prescribe special sleep medicines as part of your treatment plan.

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4. Who are your other health care providers?

Your dentist may want to know who else is looking after your health. That could include your PCP or any specialists that may be treating conditions that may affect your oral health.

Your dentist may even alert your other providers to health problems they didn’t know about — for example, if you’re snoring. That’s especially true if you’re like many people who see a dentist but not a doctor in any given year.

Now that you’ve jotted down these questions, you might have additional questions before you schedule that dental appointment. Here are 2 important questions — and answers.

Is your dentist a doctor?

Your dentist is certainly a part of your health care team, but you might be interested to know whether your dentist is a doctor. Often the word “doctor” conjures up a physician. However, a dentist is also a doctor.

Just like a medical doctor, dentists spend a lot of time earning specialized degrees. The 2 main degrees are doctor of dental surgery (D.D.S.) or doctor of dental medicine (D.M.D.), which are essentially the same degree.

How often should you see your dentist?

It’s a good idea to see your dentist regularly, and the American Dental Association recommends doing so to prevent and treat oral diseases. Talk to your dentist about how often you’ll want to see them based on your individual needs or health. A typical interval may be every 6 months, but it could also be more often, depending on your personal health needs.

Big bills don’t have to get in the way of your dental health. Here’s how a supplemental dental plan can help keep costs down. Call a licensed insurance agent at 1-844-211-7730 for more information.

Sources:

American Dental Association. “DDS and DMD.” Retrieved from https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/all-topics-a-z/dds-and-dmd Accessed July 29, 2024

American Dental Association. “Home oral care.” June 7, 2024. Retrieved from https://www.ada.org/en/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/home-care

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Talking to pregnant women about oral health.” May 15, 2024. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/oral-health/hcp/conversation-tips/talking-to-pregnant-women-about-oral-health.html?CDC

Cleveland Clinic. “Oral appliances for sleep apnea.” April 19, 2024. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21129-oral-appliance-therapy-for-sleep-apnea

Mayo Clinic. “Zinc supplement (oral route, parenteral route).” February 1, 2024. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/zinc-supplement-oral-route-parenteral-route/side-effects/drg-20070269

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. “What is sleep apnea?” March 24, 2022. Retrieved from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep-apnea

University of Southern California: Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry. “Dry mouth: medications and their effect on saliva.” Retrieved from https://ostrowonline.usc.edu/medications-that-cause-dry-mouth/ Accessed July 29, 2024

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