Book review

  • L. Sawicki
Lester Sawicki price £12.39; pp 156 ISBN 9780984370627 | ISBN: 978-0-9843-7062-7

This book is a self-published title by Lester Sawicki, an American General Dental Practitioner and keen martial arts enthusiast. Sawicki seeks to explore the reasons why the human race has suppressed our 'most basic instinct' to use our teeth and jaws for self-defence. He also offers advice on how we can hone this instinct to our advantage in times of 'mortal combat'.

In the first section of the book the author relays his own personal theories on why modern man suppresses their primal instinct of biting for self-defence. He cites bruxism or 'theogenesis' as evidence that we are all subconsciously sharpening our teeth to make them more efficient for a 'stronger, deeper, and more lethal bite'. He goes so far as to praise any dentist who provides treatment to 'enhance teeth for times of mortal combat'.

The author's eastern philosophy influences are clearly evident in part two of the book. He devises an unconventional classification system for the masticatory system using Yin and Yang concepts. He describes the teeth as being the Yang, or male energy in the mouth and the tongue as the Yin or female energy. Again this section is littered with Sawicki's own personal theories which lack any scientific basis. For example, he believes that human beings are capable of expressing a third tooth bud and that this would allow for a 250 year human life span.

Part three and four are dedicated to descriptions of exercises that focus 'chi' energy on the teeth and jaws. The author claims that these exercises will improve fighting skills and overall health. Some of the recommendations are questionable at the very least and none are backed up with valid scientific references. He advises occlusal adjustment to alleviate jaw, head, neck and shoulder pain as well as 'tooth-tapping' and 'conscious clenching' to increase jaw and tooth strength. He also argues a case for banning mouth guards and helmets in contact sports claiming that if players were trained to use their 'chi' to protect themselves there would be fewer dento-alevolar injuries in sport. Surely not a recommendation to be followed!

In conclusion, this publication is difficult to recommend. The book has no real structure with the author tending to flit from topic to topic without any obvious or logical connection. There is no scientific evidence for any of the author's theories or recommendations and in fact there are numerous inaccuracies in the text. I was also a bit alarmed at the undertone of violence that permeates the book. Sawicki seems fixated on so-called 'mortal combat' and there are many gory descriptions of and metaphors for physical violence. It is aimed at a very niche audience and certainly will not appeal to most clinicians.