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Tooth Decay
- Topic Overview
-
Health Tools
- Cause
- Symptoms
- What Happens
- What Increases Your Risk
- When To Call a Doctor
- Exams and Tests
- Treatment Overview
- Prevention
- Home Treatment
- Medications
- Surgery
- Other Treatment
- Other Places To Get Help
- Related Information
- References
- Credits
When you visit your dentist for tooth decay, he or she will:
- Ask you questions about your symptoms and past medical and dental problems and care (medical and dental history).
- Look at your teeth using a pointed tool and a small mirror. Your dentist will look for discolored areas and obvious holes in your teeth.
- Take X-rays if he or she thinks you have tooth decay that cannot be seen.
Early Detection
Having a dental checkup once or twice a year can help your dentist find tooth decay and other problems before they cause severe problems. If you often have dental problems, your dentist may suggest more frequent visits.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: July 17, 2009 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Steven K. Patterson, BS, DDS, MPH - Dentistry | |
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