Why Do Your Teeth Chatter When It's Cold? The Science Behind Your Body's Thermostat

• Teeth chattering is a natural reaction to cold, driven by the body's internal 'thermostat' system.
• The hypothalamus in the brain activates when body temperature drops, instructing muscles to rapidly contract and relax, a process known as shivering.
• Shivering generates heat to restore the body's normal temperature of around 37 degrees Celsius (98.6°F).
• The jaw muscles are highly flexible, and their rapid movement during shivering causes the upper and lower jaws to collide, resulting in teeth chattering.
• Teeth chattering is a beneficial defense mechanism, signaling the body's need for warmth and providing temporary heat.