You don't have to be a dentist to spot your dental problems, in fact there are some distinguishable warning signs which might help self-diagnosis of oral diseases. Usually, each dental disease gives a clue or symptom to be easily diagnosed and the following table is mini-guide for most popular dental diseases.

Observe your mouth in bright light with a mirror:

• Look and feel inside the lips and the front of gums.
• Tilt head back. Inspect and feel the roof of your mouth.
• Pull cheek out. Examine the inside surface as well as the back of the gums.
• Pull out your tongue. Then look minutely over its surface.
• Feel for lumps or enlarged lymph nodes on both sides of the neck including under the lower jaw.

Self Diagnosis of Oral Cancer

Do you have any of these?

• White patches of the oral tissues - leukoplakia.
• Red patches - erythroplakia.
• Red and white patches - erythroleukoplakia.
• A sore that bleeds easily and refuses to heal.
• An abnormal lump or thickening of oral tissues.
• Chronic sore throat or hoarseness.
• Difficulty in chewing or swallowing.
• A mass or lump in the neck.

Factors that may lead to Oral Cancer

• Use of tobacco and alcohol.
• Poor oral hygiene.
• Irritation caused by ill-fitting dentures.
• Poor nutrition.
• Prior chronic infections.
• Combination of the above factors.

Self Diagnosis of Caries

Do you have any of these?

• Toothaches.
• Blackish discoloration.
• Food lodgement.
• Foul smell.
• Pain/sensation on eating sweets,hot or cold foodstuff.

Self Diagnosis of Caries

Do you have any of these?

• Bleeding while brushing.
• Swollen gums.
• Persistent bad breath.
• Mobility observed in the teeth.
• Gums being pulled away from its normal position.