The Surprising Link Between Jaw Tension and Anxiety

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted May 22, 2025

Ever catch yourself clenching your jaw when you’re stuck in traffic or waiting for an important phone call?

Well, it might tell you something important about what’s happening “upstairs.”

Turns out, that jaw tension isn’t just annoying—it’s a direct hotline to your anxiety levels. And most of us don’t even realize we’re doing it.

I’ve noticed something interesting in my patients over the years.

Those who come in complaining about jaw pain, clicking sounds when they chew, or morning headaches often have something else in common: they’re dealing with significant stress or anxiety.

This connection isn’t a coincidence. Your jaw muscle (the masseter, if you want to get fancy) is one of the strongest in your body, and it’s directly connected to your fight-or-flight response system.

When you’re anxious, your body prepares for danger by tensing up, and your jaw is often the first in line.

It’s like your body’s saying, “Well, if I can’t run from this mortgage payment or fight this work deadline, I’ll just clench my teeth instead!”

Clenching and grinding (called bruxism) often happens without you even realizing it. Many folks do it while they sleep, which explains why you might wake up with a sore jaw or dull headache.

But it turns out this relationship works both ways. Just as anxiety can cause jaw tension, that jaw tension can make your anxiety worse.

It’s a frustrating cycle. When you’re anxious, you clench your jaw. That clenching signals to your brain that you’re under threat, making you more anxious.

So, what can you do about this jaw-anxiety feedback loop? Here are some practical steps:

• Take note of how your jaw feels throughout the day. Just noticing when you’re clenching can help you stop the habit.
• Try the “lips together, teeth apart” rule. Your teeth shouldn’t be touching most of the time.
• Place your tongue gently behind your upper front teeth. This naturally relaxes your jaw muscles.
• Apply a warm compress to your jaw for 10 minutes before bed to relax tense muscles.
• Consider a mouth guard for sleeping if you’re a nighttime teeth grinder.

Beyond these physical fixes, addressing underlying anxiety triggers is crucial. Simple stress-reduction techniques like deep breathing, exercise, or setting aside 15 minutes of daily worry-free relaxation time can make a big difference.

Remember, the tension in your jaw isn’t just an annoyance—it’s a message from your body that something needs attention. And at our age, we’d be wise to listen!

P.S. Five cortisol calmers SLASH stress naturally.

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

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