Book SummaryJaws, by Sandra Kahn and Paul R. Ehrlich

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Jaws

Jaws (2018) discusses how our modern lifestyle has created a hidden epidemic of jaw deformities, leading to widespread health problems. In it, authors Sandra Kahn and Paul R. Ehrlich say that a decrease in average jaw size is contributing to serious health issues such as chronic pain and sleep apnea. The book calls on parents to help their children’s jaws develop in a healthy way in order to avoid these problems; it also asks doctors and scientists to recognize that modern-day jaw deformities are a serious issue and to give this issue the attention it deserves.

Kahn is a practicing orthodontist with over 25 years of clinical experience in her field. As such, she brings a wealth of hands-on knowledge to bear when discussing oral health and jaw development. She holds degrees from the [University of...

Jaws Summary Ancient Humans Had Better Oral Health Than We Do

Kahn and Ehrlich begin by saying that our ancestors tended to have healthier mouths than we have now, even though they didn’t have dentists or toothbrushes. In this section, we’ll explain how ancient humans maintained their oral health by simply using their jaws as they were meant to be used. Then, we’ll discuss why modern lifestyles—and especially modern diets—are harming our jaws and teeth. Finally, we’ll give some statistics to illustrate the surprising scope of this problem.

Our Jaws Evolved for Heavy Use

The authors explain that ancient humans used their teeth for serious labor, such as tearing raw meat and grinding up uncooked vegetables. This intensive use caused them to develop strong jaw muscles and teeth, which naturally protected them from many of the dental problems we have today.

For instance, skeletons show that ancient humans wouldn’t have needed braces even if they could have made them, because their teeth naturally grew straight. They also wouldn’t have needed their wisdom teeth pulled, because their jaws were large enough to accommodate all of their teeth. By contrast, both braces and extractions are common in modern society.

(Shortform note:...

Jaws Summary How Poor Jaw Structure Leads to Health Issues

Kahn and Ehrlich say that a deformed jaw doesn't only cause dental problems, but can lead to broader health issues as well. In this section we’ll discuss some of the ways poor jaw structure can lead to chronic diseases.

Health Issue #1: TMJ Disorders

First of all, the authors say that 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...

Jaws Summary How to Prevent and Correct Poor Jaw Structure

So far we’ve discussed why modern people’s jaws are often deformed and some of the health problems those deformities can cause. We’ll conclude this guide by exploring some of the practices that Kahn and Ehrlich suggest to promote strong jaw development and boost your overall oral health.

The authors add that these measures are especially effective—and important—for children. This is because childhood is a critical growth phase: Jaw development during these formative years can shape not only a person’s dental health, but their overall quality of life well into adulthood. Therefore, Kahn and Ehrlich urge parents to take particular note of these practices and help their children implement them.

(Shortform note: Young children often resist routine hygiene practices like brushing their teeth, along with the other practices we’ll discuss in this section. However, children are hard-wired to imitate the behaviors they observe in their caregivers from a very early age. Therefore, it’s wise for parents to [diligently maintain these practices...

Shortform Exercise: Think About Your Oral Health

Based on what Kahn and Ehrlich say in this book, it’s likely that you’ve had problems with your jaw and teeth. Think about how your oral health has impacted your life and what you could do to improve it.

Consider whether you might be suffering from some of the jaw problems the authors describe. If so, which ones? For example, do you frequently have jaw pain, especially after eating? Does the appearance of your teeth affect your confidence in personal or professional settings?