A dental diagnostic device adapted to sense minute temperature variations along the gum and tooth root for detecting abscesses and infections therein, and a method of using the same is provided. The dental diagnostic device may include a handle portion joined to a sensor portion having a plurality of temperature sensors electronically connected to a computer with a user interface. The dental diagnostic device is dimensioned and adapted to allow an operator to sweep the sensor portion along a patients upper and lower gum tissue, wherein the computer is adapted to electronically represent the output of the plurality of temperature sensors for detecting elevated local temperatures compared to surrounding tissue, indicating potential infection.
