don't grind teeth, but bite down..

Ok, I don't grind my teeth, back and forth, but just constantly bite down real hard, clench, is that the same? Sorry for sounding like a newbie...but I am. Recently the instant swelling on my right side, out of the blue scared me bad, it went down within an hour, but my inner ear is itchy, and feels clogged. But I am finding I bite down hard constantly...aaaahhhh! thanks, Patti Tweet