tight jaw
Stress-induced facial tension
A tight jaw describes tension in the jaw muscles, whether from physical clenching or emotional strain.
The phrase often signals suppressed anger, stress, or determination: He spoke through a tight jaw, barely containing his frustration.
Someone with a tight jaw is holding something back—words, emotions, or an outburst.
- clenchedContracted with force
- bite downPress teeth together firmly
- tensionStretched or strained state
- grindingMolar action sometimes
- teeth clenchingForceful bite without chewing
stress · stress response · TMJ · lockjaw · bruxism · stiff · sore · headache · teeth · muscles · pain · clamped · anxious · rigid · ache · masseter · muscle knot · mouthguard
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