teeth clenching
Grinding under stress
Teeth clenching is the act of pressing the upper and lower teeth tightly together, often unconsciously.
It typically signals tension, stress, or suppressed emotion: The teeth clenching during her commute was giving her headaches.
Habitual teeth clenching, especially during sleep, can cause jaw pain and dental damage.
The phrase also works as an adjective describing something that provokes such tension: a teeth-clenching wait for test results.
- jawBone holding teeth
- jaw painDiscomfort in lower face
- tight jawTensed lower face muscles
- grindingMolar action sometimes
- tensionStretched or strained state
stress · bruxism · bite · biting down · TMJ · anger · frustration · gritting · tightness · molars · headache · pain · rage · determination · nightguard · sleep · anxiety · fight or flight
- nervous habitsnail biting, lip biting, hair pulling, skin picking, knuckle cracking
- jaw disordersjaw pain, TMJ, TMJ disorder, jaw fracture, jaw dislocation
- seizure symptomsseizure, seizures, convulsion, convulsions, shaking
teeth clenchingunclenching
Releasing a tight grip
relaxation · letting go · calm · serenity · ease
teeth clenchingopen mouth
Parted lips, dropped jaw
slack-jawed · gaping · yawning
teeth, clenching, clench, clenched, clenches, toothed, toothy, toothless