How to Perform a Dental Self Exam

Female: I start just getting pain in this side of my mouth and the pain gets very bad and it goes up the side of my head.

Fred Monempour: These are classic signs of potentially needing a root canal. Let me show you some quick, simple home test that you can do to figure out if you do potentially need a root canal.

Here is some cold ice water, hold it in your mouth. That does bother you. For the second test, what we are going to be doing is checking for biting sensitivity. Bite tooth by tooth, does that one bother you?

Female: A little.

Fred Monempour: The last test we are going to do is sensitivity to tapping. We are going to be using the end of the spoon. Do not tap hard, very gently.

Female: It’s kind of scary.

Fred Monempour: And if you can actually pinpoint the symptoms to a specific tooth, clearly there’s a problem. It is very important that you go and see your dentist.

Dr. Travis Stork: So, the self exam does not take away your need to see your dentist regularly. I just had a root canal. Trust me, the longer you wait, the more problems that will develop.