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Massage during dental appointment - any dentists in here??

21 replies

Candyflosscrochet · 28/03/2022 17:06

So DH went for a dental check up last week and called me after to tell me that he'd had a very bizarre experience....
He said the dentist told him he crunched his teeth and holds a lot of tension in his jaw then proceeded to give him a top of shoulders, neck, back of head and jaw (both inside and outside) massage.
He said she then advised to do this massage when he was stressed.
Now I'm intrigued....my dentist has never done this to me and neither has any of our friends or family dentists (we all have different dentists).
It's made me think of the episode in friends where joey gets measured for trousers....
He tells me there was the assistant present in the room, so believe it was actually all above board, but just interested to see if anyone else has had this experience or if any dentists/hygienists are on here to advise if this is normal practice?
To keep it light, DH thoroughly enjoyed the experience and even commented to the receptionist that she was very thorough and toyed with the decision of a 6month review rather than the year 😀

OP posts:
LadyLolaRuben · 28/03/2022 17:37

Sounds like he's clenching/grinding his teeth. I had terrible issues during my gcse years so bad that I could hardly open my mouth. I was given exercises to do and they did show me by touch for some of them. Sounds like he's suffering with tension. Worth keeping an eye to remind him to try to relax as he gets older. Wished they'd given me a bit of a massage Grin

LadyLolaRuben · 28/03/2022 17:38

Sorry just realised its your husband not son

EmpressCixi · 28/03/2022 17:43

Nope never and I see a dentist every 6months. Have done for past thirty years or so. I have to admit I think it’s highly unprofessional for the dentist to have just proceeded to massage your husband as it’s not clear that he consented to it before hand? Definitely strange.

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bunnunk · 28/03/2022 17:45

My dentist could tell my personality trait by simply looking at my teeth and dental bone overgrowth. I grind my teeth a lot and have jaw pain due to stress. She could tell all these before even asking about my medical history.

Never been told of any massages, but was given tips to stop me biting down on my teeth unconsciously

Goodbyetowinter · 28/03/2022 17:46

I've been a dental professional for many years and never come across this.

Thethreecs · 28/03/2022 17:55

Eh no, have NEVER had a massage from my dentist and I've had every type of work done. If your husband is clenching and grinding a mouth sheild/guard is usually recommended, they don't usually give you an upper body massage and BlushBlush at your dh 'thoroughly enjoying it'

Serialchiller · 28/03/2022 18:35

Was she pressing the muscles to check for muscle tension rather than a massage?
Did he tell the dentist he’d been feeling stressed

Dancingonarainbow · 28/03/2022 18:47

Nope , I go every 6 months and have never had a massage !

Freysimo · 28/03/2022 18:50

I have TMD (temporomandibular disorder) and the NHS website suggests massaging the jaw for this. It's benign, I just tend to clench my teeth!

Regularsizedrudy · 28/03/2022 18:51

They have massaged my jaw and neck (I also grind my teeth terribly) but never head or shoulders. I’m a bit jealous now really!

Isonthecase · 28/03/2022 18:57

I got the neck and jaw massage but not the full works, quite jealous now! Assuming it's private?

PollyPutTheKettleOnKettleOn · 28/03/2022 19:02

I've had similar!
Was ages ago and I can't remember exactly but might have been a brief neck massage. They did teach me how to massage my tmj though by demonstrating - was great!

I'm cool with it, clenching and grinding affects a lot more than the jaw and sometimes release of other muscles is needed to help. I'd say as long as he wasn't uncomfortable, he has found a great dentist.

Tigertigertigertiger · 28/03/2022 19:07

No but I’d love that

Useranon1 · 28/03/2022 19:11

I've had my jaw done yes as I clench, but not back and shoulders!

BarrowInFurnessRailwayStation · 28/03/2022 19:15

He needs to have a custom mouthguard to wear overnight.

Candyflosscrochet · 28/03/2022 19:21

Ok, it seems to vary from dentist to dentist!
It was an nhs dentist and yes he consented. Glad it seems to be all above board and yes, very happy to have a good one! I'll make sure he keeps up the massage as I think it'll definitely be to his benefit.
He was fine with it, just has never had that happen before (we both always have regular check ups but not a dentist he's seen before). He also said he got the impression she was quite holistic (she'd mentioned doing yoga).
Hmm....she mentioned doing yoga? Is that the sort of thing dentists divulge?!!
Me thinks I best question DH when he gets in! Hmm

OP posts:
WonderfulYou · 28/03/2022 19:30

Please can I have the name of this dentist I really want a massage!!

Mine have massaged my jaw and a bit of my head/neck but never my shoulders.

Isonthecase · 28/03/2022 19:50

Wow, lucky boy! Mine also mentioned yoga and meditation to help with clenching as it helps if you're relaxed.

Heatherjayne1972 · 28/03/2022 20:08

No. Ive been a dental professional forever I’ve never heard of this.

Tbh not sure I’d want to do this to a patient it seems a bit too …. Intimate
Pretty sure none of the dentists I work with do this routinely

Jongy · 28/03/2022 20:24

Could he have got confused and walked into a massage parlour and they thought his request to see the dentist was a ‘special’?

Massage during dental appointment - any dentists in here??
LynetteScavo · 28/03/2022 20:26

I grind (a lot!) and have never had a massage or advised to do yoga. I'm just asked if I wake up with a headache and am given a mouth guard.

I wouldn't want my sensitise to give me a massage- I don't like him much.

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