Chattering teeth

For the wind-up toy, see Chattering teeth (toy).

Chattering teeth is a bodily function in animals that occurs primarily in response to cold; the jaw muscles begin to shiver leading teeth to crash together. It may also occur as a result of bruxism where emotional stress causes the jaw movements. Certain medications can lead to teeth chattering as a side effect, especially antipsychotics and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

References

1. Colantuoni, Carlo; Rada, Pedro; McCarthy, Joseph; Patten, Caroline; Avena, Nicole M.; Chadeayne, Andrew; Hoebel, Bartley G. (June 2002). "Evidence That Intermittent, Excessive Sugar Intake Causes Endogenous Opioid Dependence". Obesity Research. 10 (6): 478–488. doi:10.1038/oby.2002.66. PMID 12055324.
2. Preuschoft, Signe (26 April 2010). ""Laughter" and "Smile" in Barbary Macaques (Macaca sylvanus)". Ethology. 91 (3): 220–236. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0310.1992.tb00864.x.
3. Hammond, Paula; Lillie, Stephen (2 December 2017). "T is for our chattering teeth…". Child Care. 14 (12): 14–15. doi:10.12968/chca.2017.14.12.14.
4. Miles, Timothy S. (April 2007). "Postural control of the human mandible". Archives of Oral Biology. 52 (4): 347–352. doi:10.1016/j.archoralbio.2006.12.017. PMID 17257577.
5. Wiper, Susan M.; Semple, Stuart (October 2007). "The function of teeth chattering in male Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus)". American Journal of Primatology. 69 (10): 1179–1188. doi:10.1002/ajp.20434. PMID 17358007. S2CID 22306315.
6. Lammers, J.H.C.M.; Kruk, M.R.; Meelis, W.; van der Poel, A.M. (May 1988). "Hypothalamic substrates for brain stimulation-induced attack, teeth-chattering and social grooming in the rat". Brain Research. 449 (1–2): 311–327. doi:10.1016/0006-8993(88)91046-3. PMID 3395851. S2CID 7907529.