Teeth chattering is often associated with being cold, a natural reflex where muscles rapidly contract and relax to generate heat. However, teeth can chatter even when the body is not experiencing cold temperatures. This involuntary movement can signal various underlying factors, from common physiological responses to more complex medical conditions.
Stress and Emotional Responses
When experiencing stress, anxiety, fear, or excitement, the body activates its “fight or flight” response. This physiological reaction involves the release of adrenaline and other stress hormones, which prepare the body for perceived danger. These hormones increase muscle tension throughout the body, including the jaw and facial muscles. This heightened tension can manifest as involuntary muscle movements, such as teeth chattering or jaw tremors.
Anxiety can induce teeth chattering, especially during panic attacks or periods of intense worry. This is linked to bruxism, the involuntary grinding or clenching of teeth. The sustained muscle activity from bruxism can lead to jaw muscle fatigue and subsequent chattering.
Medication Side Effects and Substance Withdrawal
Certain medications can cause teeth chattering or tremors as a side effect. Some antidepressants, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft), induce bruxism and teeth chattering. These medications affect neurotransmitter levels in the brain, leading to involuntary muscle movements. Stimulants, including those used for ADHD, can also cause involuntary muscle contractions resulting in teeth chattering. Other medications, such as some antipsychotics or those for asthma, can also cause tremors or chattering.
Teeth chattering can also be a symptom of withdrawal from certain substances. When the body becomes accustomed to a substance, its abrupt absence can lead to various physical reactions as the brain adjusts. This includes withdrawal from caffeine, alcohol, or certain prescription drugs, triggering involuntary muscle movements or tremors. For example, caffeine withdrawal can cause jitters and tremors as the nervous system adapts to the lack of the stimulant.
Medical Conditions and Hypoglycemia
Teeth chattering can signal an underlying medical condition. Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can cause tremors and chattering as the body reacts to insufficient glucose. The body may also shiver and chatter its teeth when fighting an infection or experiencing a fever, even if the person doesn’t feel cold. This is the body’s attempt to raise its core temperature to combat pathogens.
Neurological conditions can also lead to involuntary movements like teeth chattering. Conditions such as essential tremor, Parkinson’s disease, or certain types of dystonia can involve muscle spasms and tremors that affect the jaw and face. In Parkinson’s disease, jaw tremors, resembling shivering and causing teeth to click, are common. An overactive thyroid, known as hyperthyroidism, accelerates the body’s metabolism and can result in symptoms such as hand tremors and increased nervousness, which can also affect jaw movements.
When to Consult a Professional
While teeth chattering can be a benign response to stress or a temporary side effect, medical advice is appropriate in certain instances. If teeth chattering is persistent, occurs without a clear cause, or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, a professional evaluation is recommended. These accompanying symptoms might include dizziness, confusion, severe pain, fever that doesn’t subside, unexplained weight changes, or interferes with daily activities.
Consult a healthcare provider if teeth chattering is a new symptom, especially if sudden and unexplained. For those suspecting medication side effects or substance withdrawal, discussing symptoms with a doctor or pharmacist can help determine if adjustments to medication or a supervised withdrawal plan are necessary. If teeth grinding or clenching is contributing to the chattering, a dentist can assess for dental damage and suggest interventions.