Dentistry and Etiquette

I went to the dentist today. It wasn't anything monstrous or gruesome, just a cleaning/check-up. Still, I think I would rather watch a seven-hour marathon of The Bachelorette than go to the dentist. Well, perhaps that is slightly overdramatic. It wasn't bad; in fact, it was rather entertaining. The nurse asked me all the usual and polite questions as she prepared ("So how old are you?" "Have you started school?" "Are you glad summer's over?" etc., etc., etc.). That's all very well. What's humorous (and somewhat confusing) is when the dentist asks you a question just as he/she plunges several metal objects into your mouth. Are you supposed to attempt an answer while he is meddling around inside your head, or should you ponder and meditate upon your answer during the time he takes doing whatever it is he's doing? It's very tricky business, this question answering. There should be a book about such etiquette (How to Answer Questions Politely and Coherently When Your Mouth is Gaping Open).