Molar Nubbins

I heard somewhere that the muscles in the jaw are the strongest in the human body, second only to the Mighty Uterus.

If this is in fact the case, I wonder about those poor liminal babies being compressed into existence by a muscle stronger than something that can crack bones. It's a good thing those little suckers are so rubbery.

Anyway, since we're speaking of cracking bones, I can only imagine that is why our jaws are as strong as they are and our teeth are as hard as they are. You know, to be able to crack bones with them. Evolutionarily speaking, I mean. (Or anthropologically speaking, if the "e-word" conjures naught but visions of unholy Ape Men)

I imagine the ability is there because ancient man enjoyed the tasty marrow hidden inside the bones of beasts and enemy tribesmen. They needed to be able to crack the bones to get their juicy treat, and their teeth served the purpose. I mean, I assume this is the origin of our species' supernatural maw strength, because I know I don't eat anything that requires the force of several hundred pounds per square inch to effectively chew. And if I did, I know both my wife and my dentist would not be happy about it.

However, now that I think about it, I do tend to enjoy filling a beverage up with ice cubes with the express purpose of crushing the haughty blocks into whimpering chips with the strength of my indomitable choppers.

And, well, my wife and my dentist aren't happy about it.

I read somewhere that chewing ice was a stress response, which I might have believed applied to me ten years ago.

Nowadays I'm more inclined to believe it is my body's way of telling me I'm not eating enough fresh bone marrow.

Because I'm not.

Not nearly enough.