Can crying give you jaw soreness?

Crying may leave your jaw feeling sore, especially if stress or strong emotions cause you to clench or tighten your jaw. This kind of soreness is usually harmless and fades within a few hours, but it can catch people off guard the first time it happens.

If jaw soreness keeps coming back or comes with other jaw symptoms, it may be worth having it checked.

What you'll learn in this article:

• Stress and strong emotions can contribute to jaw clenching or grinding, which may leave your jaw muscles sore or tired.

• Bruxism can happen without you realizing it and may cause jaw soreness, tightness or headaches.

• Mild, short-lived soreness after crying is a normal physical response. Frequent or persistent discomfort may point to an underlying jaw condition called TMD.

• Simple steps can ease jaw soreness after an emotional episode.

If jaw soreness after crying is becoming a pattern, schedule an appointment with an Aspen Dental provider for a personalized evaluation.

Why does crying cause jaw soreness?

When you cry, especially during heavy sobbing, two things happen at once that can leave your jaw feeling sore for hours afterward.

What happens to your jaw muscles when you cry?

Sobbing can involve wide, repeated jaw movements. The muscles that open and close your jaw, including the masseter along the side of your face, may tighten and relax over and over during a long cry. Your temporomandibular joints (TMJs), which connect your jaw to your skull just in front of each ear, also move with your jaw.

After all that activity, the muscles around your jaw can feel tired, tight or tender, much like other muscles after extra use.

Why does emotional stress add to the tension?

Stress and anxiety can lead to teeth clenching or grinding without you realizing it. This is known as bruxism.¹ Bruxism can leave your jaw muscles feeling tired, tight or sore.¹ If jaw soreness happens during stressful or emotional moments, clenching may be contributing to the discomfort.

Is jaw soreness after crying normal?

For most people, yes. A mild ache or tightness in the jaw, cheeks or temples after crying is a normal response to muscle exertion and tension. This type of soreness is temporary and typically eases on its own within a few hours.

What if the soreness keeps coming back?

If jaw soreness keeps coming back or comes with jaw stiffness, limited movement or painful clicking or popping, it may be worth having your jaw evaluated. These can be symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), which affect the jaw joints and muscles that control jaw movement.² Psychological and life stressors may also play a role in whether TMD develops or becomes long lasting.²

How to ease jaw soreness after crying

If your jaw feels sore, simple steps may help ease jaw muscle discomfort:²

• Eat soft foods for a short time to give your jaw a break.

• Apply heat or cold to the sore area.

• Use gentle jaw exercises recommended by your dental or healthcare provider.

• Try to reduce habits such as jaw clenching or gum chewing.

• Over-the-counter NSAIDs such as ibuprofen may help with discomfort when they're safe for you to take. Follow the label directions.

If the soreness keeps coming back or your jaw feels stiff or hard to move, talk with your dental provider. They can help identify what’s causing it and recommend ways to ease the strain.

Can crying give you jaw soreness? FAQs

If you still have questions about stress-related jaw soreness, clenching or when to have your jaw checked, these answers can help.

Can stress or anxiety cause jaw soreness even when I'm not crying?

Yes, this can happen anytime you're stressed, not just while crying, since bruxism isn't tied to any one emotional trigger.¹ Over time, bruxism can leave your jaw feeling sore, tight or tired.¹ If your jaw often feels tense or sore during stressful periods, mention it to your dental provider.

Can crying give you a headache that starts near the jaw?

Yes. Teeth grinding or clenching can cause a dull headache that starts around the temples.¹ Headaches can also occur with temporomandibular disorders.² If jaw soreness and headaches keep happening together, tell your dental provider so they can look for signs of clenching, grinding or a jaw-joint problem.

Should I mention to my provider that my jaw soreness happens when I cry?

It’s a good idea. When evaluating jaw discomfort, a dental provider may ask when the pain occurs and what seems to make it better or worse.² Letting your dental provider know that the soreness happens during or after emotional episodes gives them useful context when evaluating your symptoms.

Sources

¹Mayo Clinic: “Teeth grinding (bruxism) - Symptoms and causes.” https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bruxism/symptoms-causes/syc-20356095

²National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research: “TMD (Temporomandibular Disorders).” https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/tmd