The biting force of man seems to be almost effeminate nowadays. This could at least be assumed if a look is taken at modern eating habits, which are nevertheless apparently strongly opposed to those of past times. Among early man, for example, there was the paranthropus, whose cheekbones were four times larger than those of modern man. He could crush nuts together with their shells without effort, or even hard fibers from plants.
What is the biting force?
Biting force refers to the force or pressure required by the jaw during a bite. The masticatory muscles of modern humans tend to be weaker in comparison, yet changes in eating habits over time have not had a major impact on biting force itself. The fact is, the strongest muscle in humans is their masseter muscle. It originates from the side and base of the skull. Each attachment of all masseter muscles begins at the lower jaw and ensure that it can be closed. The masseter muscle is used to help humans bite down hard and crush their food sufficiently. It consists of four skeletal muscles that are significantly involved in the act of chewing. All muscles are connected by branches to the cranial nerves and are supplied by them. The surrounding area, in turn, is wrapped in fasciae, which ensure that there is enough space, but also that there is no squeezing. The masticatory muscles are paired and can act unilaterally as a grinding movement or laterally. Equally important are the tongue, floor of the mouth and facial muscles. The strongest of the masseter muscles is the temporal muscle. It closes the jaw. All this enables people to have high biting force. Biting force refers to the force or pressure required by the jaw during a bite. This is measured in newtons per square centimeter.
Function and task
The jaw in its actuation acts like the function of a simple lever. The biting force or pressure of the jaw acts from the ratio of the distance between the point of action and the point of rotation versus the comparison of the distance from the point of rotation to the muscle insertion over which the force is exerted. This can be calculated. This is referred to as the static bite force, as it relates only to the point of action. The calculation of the biting force depends on several variables. These include the tooth or object contact surface, the overall jaw geometry, the direction of action and the muscle force itself exerted at that moment. As a result, biting can only be measured accurately in humans. In animals, the measuring device cannot be applied specifically. The evaluation is scientifically more difficult. Nevertheless, studies of the structure of the jaw and the musculature in relation to the biting force are also being developed in various animal species. The largest jaw force of all animals still living today is probably possessed by the great white shark. Here 1.8 tons were measured, in contrast to the lion with just 560 kilograms. The jaw and bite force of humans, like all living creatures of a species, is different. The different development of the jaw musculature also plays a role. On average, a value of about 800 Newton per square centimeter is given. This means a biting force of 80 kilograms. Thus the biting force of humans is smaller than that of a lion, but still greater than that of a wolf, for example, which can bite with about 60 kilograms. Scientists were also able to make comparative experiments. Humans were compared with different types of monkeys. With the help of a computer tomography, X-ray images of the jaw were taken from different perspectives and then combined to form a three-dimensional image, which in turn could be used to calculate the biting force of the jaw. Biting into a hard object was then simulated. The result of the force exerted was finally visualized in the computer. It was thus possible to find out that the biting force of humans is astonishingly efficient, that they can bite far more forcefully than, for example, great apes such as chimpanzees or orangutans. The study showed that humans can muster almost 50 percent more biting force in comparison. This in turn indicates a better set of teeth and is sometimes due to the length and position of the jaw joint. The lower jaw of humans is longer than that of the great apes, so greater leverage can also be exerted.
Diseases and ailments
In many people, the jaw muscles are constantly tense without them realizing it.This can occur when the teeth are always clenched or gritted. As a result, tension occurs. Jaw complaints have various causes and effects. Once they can be accompanied by connective tissue and muscle stiffness. These are generally chronic tensions of the masticatory muscles that severely limit biting strength. The effects can include temporomandibular joint pain, cheek pain, temple pain and tooth pain. As a result, the jaw is restricted in its movement and permanent displacement can occur in some cases. Some people have a misalignment of the jaw, in which case the load on the jaw muscles is different and can cause more severe tension. This can be the case, for example, if the person has a receding chin. The discomfort is usually a tension of the large masseter muscle, referring to the temporal muscles on both temples and the masseter muscles on the cheeks. These muscles are tightened to close the jaw. Likewise, when biting down or simply clenching the teeth. However, the jaw is also used for other movements, including speaking, yawning, laughing and similar activities. In case of tension, these movements can also be very painful. Complaints of this type are then treated, for example, by sensorimotor body therapy.
