How can jaw problems lead to chronic diseases? What are the social consequences of having a deformed jaw?
In their book Jaws, Kahn and Ehrlich say that a deformed jaw doesn’t only cause dental problems, but can lead to broader health issues as well. In addition to physical health issues, people with deformed jaws often experience mental health problems due to social stigmas.
Here are some of the ways poor jaw structure can lead to chronic diseases.
Health Issue #1: TMJ Disorders
The first jaw problem the authors discuss is TMJ disorder. A deformed jaw can lead to disorders of the temporomandibular joints (TMJs), which connect your jaw to the rest of your skull.
TMJ disorders have a wide variety of symptoms. The most common of these is chronic pain in the jaw area, especially while chewing or opening the mouth wide (such as when yawning). This can range from mild discomfort to severe pain, and in some cases it radiates into the neck and shoulder.
Other symptoms include clicking or popping sounds when opening or closing the mouth, locked jaw or limited mobility of the jaw, headaches, earaches, and facial pain. Some people also experience dizziness and tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
| Physical Activity Is Another Contributing Factor Another factor in the increasing number of TMJ disorders is bone density—modern humans have less dense bones and joints than our hunter-gatherer ancestors did. Two studies published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggest that the shift to agriculture and a more sedentary lifestyle around 12,000 years ago caused humans to evolve lighter, weaker joints. One study found that modern human skeletons have 50-75% less dense spongy trabecular bone in their joints compared to other primates and ancient human ancestors. The researchers traced the drop in bone density to the late Pleistocene or early Holocene era, when humans transitioned to farming. The other study examined archaeological remains and found forager groups had thicker, higher-volume trabecular bone in the hip joint compared to farmer groups, indicating that physical activity level impacts joint bone strength more than diet alone. The researchers conclude that the reduction in physical activity from hunting-gathering to agriculture likely drove the evolutionary changes toward more fragile skeletons in modern humans, which increased the risk of conditions like osteoporosis. |
Health Issue #2: Sleep Apnea
Kahn and Ehrlich say that one of the most severe problems arising from poor jaw structure is sleep apnea, a condition where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts while you’re asleep. Sleep apnea happens because when you lie down to sleep, gravity can cause your tongue and other tissues to droop back into the oral cavity and block airflow. If your jaw is underdeveloped then the space in your mouth is already more crowded than it should be, making this more likely to happen.
Sleep apnea causes you to frequently wake up to catch your breath, which prevents you from sleeping deeply and restfully. Because of these sleep disruptions, sleep apnea is known to cause daytime fatigue, depression, and anxiety-related conditions like high blood pressure and heart disease. Young children who suffer from sleep apnea are also at risk for developing learning disabilities, behavioral issues, and psychiatric conditions like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
| Other Harmful Effects of Sleep Deprivation The authors note that poor jaw structure may lead to sleep apnea, which prevents you from getting adequate sleep. Neuroscientist Matthew Walker goes into more detail about the dangers of sleep deprivation in his book Why We Sleep, saying that it impairs one’s ability to focus and concentrate. The greater the sleep deficit, the more compromised these cognitive abilities become, posing significant risks for those engaged in high-stakes activities like operating vehicles. Walker also asserts that sleep deprivation hinders emotional regulation. When deprived of sleep, the amygdala—the brain region responsible for emotional processing—can become overactive. This heightens the person’s emotions and makes them less able to control themselves. As an interesting side note, many people with clinical depression actually report feeling better after a night without sleep. Researchers believe this may be because increased activity in the amygdala helps to counteract the symptoms of depression. However, it’s not clear whether these benefits outweigh the harm that sleep deprivation causes. If you suffer from depression, try discussing wake therapy with a psychologist or therapist before attempting it yourself. Finally, Walker suggests that insufficient sleep may be a contributing factor to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Sleep loss can interfere with the formation of new memories and disrupt the glymphatic system, which is responsible for clearing out the protein plaques associated with Alzheimer’s. |
Social Consequences of a Deformed Jaw
Kahn and Ehrlich don’t just talk about the physical health issues caused by deformed jaws—they also discuss the possible social impacts of such deformities.
Visibly crowded or crooked teeth can seriously harm people’s self-image and self-confidence. Although that’s not a health condition per se, it does impact their happiness, and therefore their overall well-being. Children and teenagers are especially vulnerable to this: Their peers are likely to bully them for looking different, which can seriously harm their mental and emotional health.
(Shortform note: Childhood trauma, such as severe bullying, can lead to a condition known as Developmental Trauma Disorder, which is similar to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Prolonged exposure to stress and adverse experiences during critical stages of development can alter a child’s brain and body, impacting their self-perception, relationships, and overall growth. The effects of childhood trauma can persist long after the traumatic events have ended, increasing the risk of high-risk behaviors, addiction, obesity, chronic health issues, and a reduced life expectancy.)
A deformed jaw can also make it hard to speak clearly, which naturally makes communication more difficult. This can hinder people’s ability to make friends, and it can also hold them back professionally—people who have trouble communicating will probably have a harder time finding work, especially in any sort of managerial or leadership role. (Shortform note: People with speech impediments, as from deformed jaws, don’t just struggle because others have a hard time understanding them; they often face outright discrimination as well. Those with speech impediments—such as stuttering or speaking with a lisp—may endure harsh social stigma and prejudice rooted in misguided assumptions that they are less intelligent, less educated, or less capable than their peers, simply due to their inability to speak as clearly as others do.)
