Our jaws can only bite upwards. So you can’t actually bite down.
The statement that our jaws can only bite upwards and cannot bite down is not entirely accurate. The human jaw is capable of both upward and downward movement, allowing us to close our mouths and exert force in both directions.
When we say “bite down,” we typically mean bringing the upper and lower teeth together, exerting force in a downward direction. This action involves the contraction of various muscles, including the masseter muscles, which are responsible for the closing of the jaw.
However, the bite force generated by the jaw is indeed generally stronger when biting upwards (e.g., chewing tough food) compared to biting downwards. This is due to the anatomical structure of the jaw and the arrangement of the muscles involved.
In summary, while biting upwards may exert more force, the human jaw is indeed capable of both upward and downward biting movements.
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