jaw clench
Anxious bite hold
A jaw clench is the tightening of muscles that close the mouth, often involuntary and associated with stress, anger, or intense concentration.
Habitual clenching can cause headaches and dental problems.
As a visible signal, it conveys suppressed emotion: His jaw clenched when she mentioned the divorce.
The phrase appears as both noun and verb.
- teethEnamel-covered chewing structures
- grindCrush into particles
- tensionStretched or strained state
- stressPressure, mental or vocal
- bitePierce with teeth
bite down · tight · muscle · anger · frustration · grimace · lockjaw · bruxism · headache · pain · mandible · TMJ disorder · strain · rage · determination · grit · gritted teeth · tense
- facial expressionssmiling, smile, grin, grinning, frown
- frustration gesturesfacepalm, eye roll, heavy sigh, head shake, foot stomp
- Ticstics, twitch, twitching, blink, blinking
- facial morphssmile, frown, blink, squint, sneer
- Facechin, cheeks, cheek, nose, mouth
- gesturesgesture, hand gestures, applause, hand raise, tap on shoulder
emotional state expressed
jaw clenchcalm
Free from agitation
relaxation · ease · serenity · tranquility · contentment