How does biting your teeth help?

I think it’s just so you don’t scream. I don’t think it helps with the pain at all. (Although pain in one part of your body can distract you from pain in another because of the release of adrenaline).

I thought it was, “grit your teeth” and “bite the bullet”...

Klaas4; it is actually either biting your top lip w. your bottom teeth or biting your bottom lip w. top and is called “bite your lip.” sjg is right; it is a sensory distraction. Similarly, when I was young and had cavaties filled without novocaine, I used to dig my nails into the palms of my hands.

“Bite your lip” is also an idiom that means making ” a conscious effort not to react or to keep quiet about something that displeases you.”

Boffin is correct about those idioms. “Bite the bullet” was literal; usually during some primitive surgery before ether was discovered: the wounded were given bullets, straps or sticks etc to bite down on….also used by women delivering babies in some cultures.

“Grit your teeth” is a common expression but probably means to clench your jaw..

From Wickipedia:

“Bite the Bullet may refer to: Accepting something difficult or unpleasant, or adopting an attitude that allows one to do so. The expression alludes to the battlefield medical technique of literally biting a bullet during surgical procedures as a primitive form of pain management.”

biting a bulet wood hurt but pain releases andorphines not adrenalin

Endorphins, schmorphins; none of the stopgap measures for suppression of pain worked very well. And usually bullets were not used since one could actually sink his teeth into wood or leather. I would add, that when available, alcohol was poured down the poor wretch’s throat and he was strapped in place or held by large, strong men. G*d bless the guy(s) who invented Ether and the ensuing anaesthesias.

I shut my eyes and still remember what that slow drill felt like as it bored into an un-numbed tooth (in my 13-yr-old mouth.) The nurse held my hand, as though that were supposed to help.

Speaking of spelling, which I wasn’t -*cavities.

idk i would just say close your eyes then when you open them hopefully it will be over.