Questionnaire Study of the Teeth on Edge Phenomenon

Abstract

This study followed up a previous one which showed that subjects interpret the phrase “having the teeth set on edge” either as a sensation-based or as an emotion-based experience. The present study showed that most (372 students) have had both kinds of experience, can distinguish between them, and can recognize and comprehend the phrase “having the teeth set on edge.” However, the most striking finding was that, despite this general comprehension of the phrase, only 5% could produce it in response to descriptions of the experience and of the stimuli that most frequently cause it.