When your dentist checks your jaw bone ...

[Garihairy]

When your dentist checks your jaw bone at your yearly check up how does it make you feel?

I've been going to one that my friend recommended for about three years now and he's lovely, no problems at all, it's just that when he checks along my jaw bone I get the feeling that he wants me to feel uncomfortable. Not that he's enjoying it or anything, specifically that he wants me to feel uncomfortable.

I plucked up the courage to mention it to my friend today after another visit and she said she feels the same. I didn't say what exactly the problem was, just asked her how she found that part of the examination and she came to the same conclusion of her own volition.

Neither of us can fault him in any way, apart from this weird feeling with the jaw bone thing. I'm glad it's not just me. It's such an odd thing, not something you could actually complain about as it's just a feeling we both have.

So MNers, when your dentist checks your jaw bone does it just feel like another run of the mill thing for you or have you ever had a similar thing?

Do you mean he feels your jaw on the outside of your face?

My dentist has never done that.

They feel your lymph nodes under your jawline.

I've never ever had a dentist do that. I'm 43 and have been with 3 different dentists.

• pressed post too soon! Yes, all of my dentists have done it, same with my DH and our DC. They are checking for enlarged lymph nodes under your jaw.

I've been to one that does it. More than 15 years ago now though! Current one doesn't.

He's the only one I've been to that does that. I wonder why some do and some don't. Could it be a private or NHS thing?

No, I don’t feel uncomfortable when my dentist checks my jawbone, but then she is a woman so less chance of that generally I guess. I absolutely get what you mean though and it might be that he does have some ill intent. I got very weird vibes off DC’s orthodontist (so treating teenagers mostly) and watched him like a hawk. I was so relieved when he left and a kind and non creepy man replaced him. Can you change dentist? I would absolutely trust your gut on this kind of thing.

NEVER had a dentist do that and I speak as someone who has seen multiple dentists for a TMJ issue over my time (and actually ended up having braces and jaw surgery). How bizarre.

Personally think it sounds thorough though.

@Cardiganwearer that's the odd thing, there's absolutely nothing else, just this weird feeling that he wants me to feel weirded out not that he's getting off on it. I suppose it could be some kind of power play thing. Urgh.

My dentist is private and does it and DC’s NHS dentist checks the jawbone but only just started on the last visit.

Yes that's what I also thought.

https://www.mouthcancerfoundation.org/awareness/professionals-screening-guide/screening-by-a-dentist/

oral cancer screening. Checking your lymph nodes and saliva glands. Should explain before doing it.

My dentist does it, it’s one of the the checks for oral cancer as far as I’m aware.

It doesn’t make me feel weird, but then I’ve had a much more intimate relationship with my dentist than most, as we worked together pre-uni and were ahem close.

If you and your friend feel similarly then it does sound a bit off.

Is it not just because you're not used to it as he's the only dentist that you've had check your jaw?

mine checks my jawline and actual jaw joints every single time I go no matter the reason.

Most dentists I've had have done this. What is it about the way he does it that gives you that feeling? Something he says, his facial expression, the way he stands, or just the way the touch itself feels? They always seem to use this slow, vaguely sensuous-feeling, probing-into-your-intimate-places kind of movement, presumably because that's how you feel for whatever it is they're looking for, but if you're not used to it I suppose it could feel like an uncomfortably intimate style of touch.

Yeah could be a power play. Urggh as you say. Both you and your friend feel it so would take notice of the feeling definitely. If going to the dentist wasn’t bad enough.

@ToxicPositivity no, all the other checks he does feel absolutely fine.

I say @Marmite27 😁

Think every dentist I've had has done this. Along the jaw and also the hinge (?)

Never thought anything of it

just the way the touch itself feels?

This @off. All the other touching he does doesn't bother me, I don't really look at him or can see his positioning as he's behind me.

I know @Cardiganwearer but it's not something I remember until he does it.

Can I ask what exactly he does when he's checking? And also roughly how old he is?

I'm not going to tell you (and your friend) to ignore your gut feeling, but all the dentists I've had this examination from have used this sort of… slow, slidey, circling, probing kind of touch, which feels (to me) sort of intimate in a weird way. They often go a bit quiet and concentrate while they're doing it, too, I think, which could add to the creep factor? But unless I've been very unlucky, I doubt all my dentists have been perverts.

Sorry it makes you feel like this, just to reassure that this is something he should be doing (Dentist of 20yrs here). As previous poster have said its to check lymph nodes and salivary glands, unfortunately I've picked up a few nasty things over the years so is well worth carrying out. I usually explain why then make a rubbish joke about it being the world's worst face massage to put people at ease, I'm now wondering if I should be doing anything differently so I don't make patients feel uncomfortable.

All dentists I’ve seen have done this (NHS).

Are you worried it’s not a normal check, or that your dentist specifically is doing it in a weird manner?