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Original poster

When your dentist checks your jaw bone ...

77 replies

Garihairy · 31/08/2023 19:26

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?

OP posts:
BackToOklahoma · 31/08/2023 19:55

My dentist is female and is usually chatting away about her kids whilst she does it so I don’t even think about it.

Is your dentist quiet whilst he’s doing it? Maybe that makes it feel weird? It’s possible he’s just concentrating on what he’s feeling but If you feel uncomfortable, trust your gut. Can you move to another dentist?

LookatEsa · 31/08/2023 19:58

My dentist does this but explains it’s an oral cancer check. He was the first dentist that did it to me.

CantThinkOfANameAtAll · 31/08/2023 19:59

I've never had this and I've had multiple dentists 😯

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Dental health
livinglifetothefull · 31/08/2023 20:02

Yes my dentist do it to me today .

Dartsplayer · 31/08/2023 20:07

Its an oral cancer check. My dentist does this but explains every time

Strawberrypicnic · 31/08/2023 20:11

It is normal for a dentist to run their hands round the outside of your jaw and chin as part of a checkup. I think they are checking for inflammation or lumps and bumps that shouldn't be there. It can be uncomfortable (not painful) as they have to apply a bit of pressure and that area can be sensitive i guess. Is that what you are feeling?

ThomasHardyPerennial · 31/08/2023 20:12

My dentist does this at every 6 month check-up (private dentist). It's just part of the exam, what actually feels odd about it to you?

RichardMarxisinnocent · 31/08/2023 20:15

CantThinkOfANameAtAll · 31/08/2023 19:59

I've never had this and I've had multiple dentists 😯

Also never had this and wondering if that means all my dentists have been rubbish? Is it something they ought to be doing for all patients?

ThomasHardyPerennial · 31/08/2023 20:20

I don't think it's that weird that your friend feels similar about it, are you supposed to feel intense joy about a standard exam? This is all very vague-posting.

minipie · 31/08/2023 20:22

All my dentists have done this as part of a regular check up. I can’t remember if it only started at a certain age though but definitely had it since my mid 30s or so.

Is it perhaps the fact he’s behind you that makes you feel like there’s some ill intention? At my check up yesterday the dentist did it from the side as I recall.

Laneymoo · 31/08/2023 20:26

Dental nurse here and as others have said this is part of screening for oral cancer which should be done every time you attend your dentist. Checking the roof of the mouth, under the tongue, all sides of the tongue, cheeks, under the lips - all normal. I've seen many dentists go quiet when they do this as they are concentrating, like turning down the radio when driving when you're lost. Sounds like you have a thorough and competent dentist!

43ontherocksporfavor · 31/08/2023 20:27

Never had that done. Had a check up last week.

Richmondgal · 31/08/2023 20:33

For gods sake he is checking you don’t have cancer

Lollygaggle · 31/08/2023 20:35

I have always examined jaw and joint when examining patients , I will often go quiet and sometimes close my eyes when palpating jaw and joint as the changes can be very subtle and it needs concentration as I am just relying on my fingertips for diagnosis.
A dentist would not want a patient to feel uncomfortable not least because a stressed , tense patient actually makes the dentist more stressed and tense.

DandDoodlz67 · 31/08/2023 20:35

My dentist sometimes does this I didn’t know why but have had it done a few times over the years

Lollygaggle · 31/08/2023 20:38

Checking around the neck, jaw ,joint and soft tissues of the mouth means a dentist is checking you haven't got one of the around 200 different problems ,from thyroid goitres to cancer , that can be diagnosed by touch and sight.

BakingBeanz · 31/08/2023 20:38

This is a completely normal check for oral cancer. The dentist needs to press fairly hard and check whether you show any pain, as a sore or tender part needs looking into.

kitsuneghost · 31/08/2023 20:39

My dentist told me why they were doing it.
They are checking for cancer.

SwankyPants · 31/08/2023 20:40

Just part of the exam. Also checks my tongue by getting me to point it to different parts of my mouth

purplecorkheart · 31/08/2023 20:40

My Dental Practice do this yearly (possibly more but I hate going to the dentist so avoid it). It is a check for oral cancer as far as I know.

Original poster
Garihairy · 31/08/2023 21:00

I know why he's doing it, I don't have a problem with the checks, it's a proper thorough examination.

I've remembered that he goes straight from my mouth with his wet fingers along my jaw bone. I suppose it's the fact that they're still wet that's a bit icky, even though it's my own saliva.

I have absolutely no problems with any of the checks but my friend and I both had the same feeling about this one aspect so I thought I'd ask to see if anyone else felt similarly with their examinations.

@Laneymoo I'm crap with ages, I'd say in his 40s, I think.

OP posts:
AppleDumplingWithCustard · 31/08/2023 21:02

I’m very glad that my dentist does a thorough examination and a visual one looking underneath my tongue as well. It’s great to have an oral cancer check every six months.

Laneymoo · 31/08/2023 21:03

Garihairy · 31/08/2023 21:00

I know why he's doing it, I don't have a problem with the checks, it's a proper thorough examination.

I've remembered that he goes straight from my mouth with his wet fingers along my jaw bone. I suppose it's the fact that they're still wet that's a bit icky, even though it's my own saliva.

I have absolutely no problems with any of the checks but my friend and I both had the same feeling about this one aspect so I thought I'd ask to see if anyone else felt similarly with their examinations.

@Laneymoo I'm crap with ages, I'd say in his 40s, I think.

The reason I asked the age is I find the newer younger dentists will do these checks more routinely than older dentists. Dentistry is not glamorous at all and like you say your own saliva can end up all over your face! You could keep a tissue in your hand and use it to pat your face when he moves his hands away.

fufulina · 31/08/2023 21:04

I haven’t ever NOT had my jawbone checked during a check up. But it’s never made me

fufulina · 31/08/2023 21:05

Gah! Fat fingers

… feel odd