jaw clenching
Tense mouth habit
Jaw clenching is the involuntary or habitual tightening of the jaw muscles, pressing the teeth together.
It often occurs during stress, concentration, or sleep, and can cause headaches, tooth damage, or temporomandibular joint pain.
The phrase also describes a moment of visible tension or suppressed emotion: There was some jaw clenching when the budget cuts were announced.
- teethEnamel-covered chewing structures
- grindingMolar action sometimes
- tensionStretched or strained state
- muscle tensionSustained fiber contraction
- tight jawTensed lower face muscles
stress · stress response · bruxism · TMJ · jaw pain · tightness · anxiety · anger · grimace · bite · bite down · pressure · headache · pain · sore muscles · lockjaw · frustration · hold back
- body languagegestures, facial expressions, hand gestures, posture, nodding
- body responsesfight, flight, shivering, freeze, goosebumps
- Body Sensationstension, fatigue, headache, pain, numbness
- body stressmuscle tension, soreness, stiffness, strain, aches
- body symptomsheadache, headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue
- facial expressionssmiling, smile, grin, grinning, frown
emotional expression
jaw clenchingserenity
Undisturbed mental quietude
tranquility · contentment · relaxation · deep relaxation · calm