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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staff
Your dentist usually can detect tooth decay easily. He or she will ask about tooth pain and sensitivity. Your dentist will examine your mouth and teeth and may probe your teeth with dental instruments to check for soft areas. You may also have dental X-rays, which can show the extent of cavities and decay. Your dentist will also be able to tell you specifically which of the three types of cavities you have — smooth surface, pit and fissure, and root.
- Gonsalves W. Oral health. In: South-Paul JE, et al. Current Diagnosis & Treatment in Family Medicine. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill/Lange; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3036775. Accessed March 9, 2009.
- Durso SC. Oral manifestations of disease. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2862909. Accessed March 9, 2009.
- Plaque: What it is and how to get rid of it. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/NR/rdonlyres/0C900F9D-C582-4609-A62C-CF4AB53E84A0/0/Plaque_brochure.pdf. Accessed March 9, 2009.
- Seal out tooth decay. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/ToothDecay/SealOutToothDecay.htm. Accessed March 9, 2009.
- Fact sheet: Tooth decay. Academy of General Dentistry. http://www.agd.org/public/OralHealthFacts/files/pdfgenerator.aspx?pdf=FS_ToothDecay.pdf&id=. Accessed March 9, 2009.
- Eating habits that can harm teeth. Journal of the American Dental Association. 2002;133:1739.
- The oral health of older Americans. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/OralHealth/publications/factsheets/adult_older.htm. Accessed March 12, 2009.
- Kagihara LE. Assessment, management, and prevention of early childhood caries. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. 2009;21:1.
- Caries. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec08/ch095/ch095b.html. Accessed March 8, 2009.
- Oral health: Preventing cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/publications/aag/pdf/doh.pdf. Accessed March 9, 2009.
- Dental amalgam use and benefits. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/OralHealth/publications/factsheets/amalgam.htm. Accessed March 12, 2009.
