Masticatory force
Masticatory force refers to the force exerted by the jaw muscles during the act of chewing. It is an essential aspect of oral physiology and plays a crucial role in the mechanical breakdown of food. The masticatory force varies among individuals and can be influenced by factors such as age, sex, and the presence of dental disorders.
Physiology[edit | edit source]
The masticatory force is generated by the contraction of the masseter muscle, the temporalis muscle, and the medial pterygoid muscle. These muscles work in coordination to close the jaw and exert pressure on the food between the teeth. The force exerted during chewing can range from 20 to 1000 Newtons, depending on the hardness of the food and the individual's chewing habits.
Factors influencing masticatory force[edit | edit source]
Several factors can influence the masticatory force. These include:
- Age: The masticatory force tends to decrease with age, due to the loss of muscle strength and the wear and tear of the teeth.
- Sex: Men generally have a higher masticatory force than women, possibly due to differences in muscle mass and strength.
- Dental health: Dental disorders such as tooth loss, periodontal disease, and temporomandibular joint disorder can significantly reduce the masticatory force.
Measurement[edit | edit source]
The masticatory force can be measured using a device called a gnathodynamometer. This device measures the force exerted by the jaw muscles during biting and chewing. The data obtained can be used to assess the individual's oral health and to plan dental treatments.
See also[edit | edit source]
| Masticatory force Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
