Self dental exam is important in keeping your mouth healthy and prevent the worsening of an existing dental problem. Many aware individuals who perform regular self checks save themselves from larger problems and helps in maintenance of gum and teeth hygiene.
Self dental exam should not be considered as an alternative to regular dental visits, but it is a tool that can help you in providing valuable information to your dentist. Doctors at bhavna dental clinic encourage patients to get dental check up done every 6 months. Self dental exam may not provide you the accurate diagnosis but it helps in narrowing down the possible causes.
A dental self-exam requires only a little bit of time and some basic know-how. Here are a few simple techniques that can help you pinpoint problems and possible causes.
Cold sensitivity:
Cold sensitivity is relatively common complaint. However, in most of the cases, it is an alarm that wakes you up for dental visit. Fill the mouth with ice cold water, if sensitivity occurs, notice the duration of sensitivity.
| Intensity | Duration | Possible Causes |
| Mild- Moderate | Till the water is there in mouth | Exposed roots due to gum problems, worn out teeth , grinding, shallow cavity, mild cracks in teeth |
| High | Till the water is there in mouth | Deep cavity, severe gum problems with exposed roots, fractured teeth, extremely worn out teeth due to grinding or taking citrus chemicals |
| High | Prolonged pain even after you spit water | Suggest deep cavity which causes pulp exposure, severe gum infection that reaches upto root end, fractured teeth with pulp exposure, this situation in most cases requires root canal treatment. Please visit your dentist immediately. |
Heat sensitivity:
Heat sensitivity has high diagnostic value. If you feel extreme pain when you enjoy your mornon coffe or tea, or hot soup, it suggests that problem is deep within the tooth. In most cases, irritated pulp gives this kind of response. Prolonged deep cavities, tooth fracture can be underlying cause. Your dentist will identify the problem and suggest you the treatment.
Painful Percussion:
Do you Remember the last dental visit when dentist was tapping your teeth and was asking you, if its paining! Similar test can be performed at home with the help of spoon handle or your finger. Gently tap your teeth and if minor pain is present, it indicates sinus infection or grinding habit. If pain is severe, it suggests more severe underlying issue. In any case, visit your dentist.
Loose tooth:
Shaky, loose, mobile teeth are all synonym with the severe dental problems. If you can wiggle your teeth, it suggest underlying gum problems. Dental abscess, where pus is collected at root end can also cause mobile teeth.
Heat Sensitivity:
Shaky, loose, mobile teeth are all synonym with the severe dental problems. If you can wiggle your teeth, it suggest underlying gum problems. Dental abscess, where pus is collected at root end can also cause mobile teeth.
Red or bleeding gums:
Use a mirror to examine your gums for redness or swelling and watch for bleeding during your oral care routine. Even a small amount of blood with brushing or flossing signals a problem with gums. It might be time for a cleaning, or you could have a more complicated problem. Either way, it’s time for professional help.
Bite sensitivity:
If gently biting the handle of your toothbrush or a chewy treat causes discomfort, your dentist will need to investigate. This type of pain can be traced to a tooth that’s slightly higher than the others, an abscess or multiple other causes.
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1) Did you have an injury that broke your tooth.
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YES |
Lost your tooth?
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DENTAL EMERGENCY
first doesn’t make tooth dry and also tries to put it in your mouth unless you meet your doctor. |
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| NO | ||||
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2) Do you have pain in tooth?
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NO |
Refer Question 5.*
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| YES | ||||
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3) Are you suffering from broken or chipped tooth?
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YES |
A FRACTURED, CRACKED or LOOSE TOOTH might be a reason.
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Wrap them in a cool or moist cloth and meet your dentist as soon as possible.
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| NO | ||||
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4) Are you suffering from tooth sensitivity issue?
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YES |
CAVITY might be the reason for pain.
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Proper brushing and flossing along with fluoride rinses and coatings, as suggestions may prevent tooth decay.
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| NO | ||||
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*5) Do you have red spot or swelling around tooth or gums?
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YES |
Dental ABSCESS or an INFECTION in tooth, gums or other tissues is the cause.
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URGENT See your dentist or doctor right away.
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| NO | ||||
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6) Do you have red spot or swelling in gums or skin inside your mouth peeling?
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YES |
Infection such as TRENCH MOUTH, GINGIVITIS or PERIODONTITIS and even drug or STEVENS-JOHNSON REACTION might be a reason.
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meet your doctor as soon as possible and get antibiotics as well as proper dental care to stop infection even take pain relievers like acetaminophen.
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| NO | ||||
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7) Do you have headaches, earache or do you hear a cracking sound when you bite?
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YES |
TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT (TMJ) syndrome might be the reason.
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Don’t stress your jaw when you are tense or nervous. Stop chewing gum. Try a mild anti-inflammatory medicine such as ibuprofen.
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| NO | ||||
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For more information, please talk to your doctor or dentist. If you think the problem is serious, call your doctor or dentist as soon as possible.
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Click on a Solution Option to view the procedure. |
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| Problem |
Solution Options |
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| Sensitivity | |||
| Bleeding Gums |
Dental Cleaning |
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| Bad Breath |
Dental Cleaning |
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| Excessive Gums |
Laser Gum Contouring |
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| Receding Gums |
Periodontal Therapy |
Gum Tissue Grafting |
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| Discolored, Stained |
Bonding |
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| Decayed teeth |
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| Teeth Abscess |
Periodontal Therapy |
Extraction |
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| Gaps |
Bonding |
Veneers |
Bridges |
| Chipped teeth |
Bonding |
Veneers |
Crowns |
| Poorly Shaped teeth |
Bonding |
Veneers |
Crowns |
| Misaligned |
Bonding |
Veneers |
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| Worn |
Veneers |
Crowns |
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| Broken teeth |
Crowns |
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| Missing |
Removable partial denture |
Bridges |
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| Loose teeth |
Periodontal Therapy |
Periodontal splinting |
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| Loose Dentures |
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