Diagnostic Tests for Oral pain

Diagnostic Test list for Oral pain:

The list of diagnostic tests mentioned in various sources as used in the diagnosis of Oral pain includes:

• Physical examination
  • Examine health of lips, mouth, gums and teeth . Note dental hygiene, mouth ulcers, mouth trauma from dentures and signs of mouth infections
  • Inspect and tap each tooth for tenderness which may indicate a alveolar tooth abscess
  • Feel cervical lymph nodes (glands) for enlargement - e.g. with lip cancers, herpes simplex labialis.
  • Full physical examination may reveal features of systemic disease - e.g. Diabetes mellitus, Cancer, HIV infection.
• Blood tests
  • Full blood count and ESR
  • Blood sugar to diagnose Diabetes
  • HIV serology, if indicated
  • Raised Immunoglobulin levels and presence of certain autoantibodies may suggest diagnosis of Sjogren's syndrome - e.g. Rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibodies, antimitochondrial antibodies, Anti-Ro (SSA) antibodies.
  • Serum iron, Vitamin B12, folate
  • Serum zinc
  • Erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity ( Vitamin B2 status) - not widely available.
  • Erythrocyte aminotransferase activity (Vitamin B6 status) - not widely available.
• Radiological investigations
  • X-Ray of teeth to look for dental caries or abscess
  • X-Ray of temporomandibular joint
• Swab of any ulcer - for viral and bacterial culture.
• Skin or mucosal (lining of the oral cavity) biopsy - may be required to assist diagnosis.
• Skin scraping of the lip or mouth surface - if suspect Candida infection (not uncommon in people with HIV disease).
• Dentist opinion
• Electroencephalogram (ECG) - may be indicated to exclude the possibility of angina and heart attack which may cause pain that radiates to the left side of the jaw.

Home Diagnostic Testing

These home medical tests may be relevant to Oral pain causes:

• Nerve Neuropathy: Related Home Testing:
  • Home Diabetes Test Kits
  • Home Blood Glucose Testing Kits

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