Dentist wants to palpate my jaw to cheak for what?what does that mean, i have bad jaw pain on one side

Lymph nodes: Usually a dentist is looking for any swollen lymph nodes which can be an indication for infection or presence of cancer. The palpating of these nodes may have been prompted if you mentioned the jaw pain on one side. The palpating of these nodes is sometimes part of an oral cancer screening which is part of a comprehensive dental examination.

Palpated: To feel with your fingers. Dentist wants to feel for any anatomic variations and anatomy and function of your jaw joint. Good idea.

Checking muscles: Palpation is looking for abnormalities. The dentist is also checking your jaw muscles for signs of TMJ . TMJ patients jaw muscles are often enlarged and have tenderness. This is part of a normal TMJ/dental evaluation.

Complete exam: Dentists are trained to perform comprehensive head and neck exam to determine dental and head and neck pathology.

Jaw palpation: The dentist palpates the area over the jaws to check for lumps and bumps. This examination may also reveal muscle tenderness or TMJ that could be the result of trauma ,infection or inflammation.

Diagnostic info: The muscles of mastication (chewing,biting) are a complex collection which must all work together in harmony.If they are out of synch,for whatever reason, trouble follows.We check these to determine if they are in spasm and can then offer treatment options. This helps direct our continued diagnostic efforts and treatment modalities.The bite SOMETIMES is the problem. Clenching/grinding more often.