how to properly chew your food

Mom was right—chew your food! It’s a natural instinct we all follow when we put food in our mouths, but did you know there’s actually a proper way to chew? Sit back, relax, and we’ll tell you how.

Why is it Important to Chew Properly?

The digestive process actually starts in the mouth. Chewing triggers the release of enzymes that break food down. Thoroughly chewing food before swallowing ensures it will be fully digested and assimilated into your body. As a bonus, taking time to chew also helps you enjoy food more! Another plus? You give your stomach enough time to decide it’s full, usually on less food. That helps you avoid overeating and gaining weight.

Not chewing properly can also cause other problems: 

  • Aspiration  
  • Choking  
  • Dehydration  
  • Malnutrition  

What is the Right Way to Chew? 

Your food should be chewed until it’s small enough to easily swallow. An old adage says you should chew food a minimum of 32 times, but better advice might be to put your fork or spoon down in between mouthfuls. This way you avoid the instinct to put the next piece of food in your mouth simply because it’s there in front of your face.

These tips can also help you avoid the hazards of incorrect chewing.

  • Take it slow. It takes about 20 to 25 minutes for your brain to get the message that you’ve had enough to eat. Focus on the food you’re eating and use all your senses. Enjoy the aroma and savor every bite.
  • Rotate your jaw. Once you put food in your mouth, close your lips and begin chewing. Use your tongue to move the food from one side of your mouth to the other. The jaw should slightly rotate while chewing.
  • Don’t overload your mouth. You can easily avoid overloading your mouth by not overloading your eating utensil! Too much food in your mouth at one time also makes it difficult for your teeth to properly do their job. Small bites can be more quickly broken down before swallowing.

What to Do if Chewing Hurts? 

The temporomandibular joints make it possible for your jawbone to rotate and slide, two actions needed for proper chewing. If one or more of these joints becomes painful, TMJD, or temporomandibular joint disorder can occur. Causes for TMJD include:

  • Damage to the surfaces of the teeth.
  • Infections deep in the jaw.
  • Loose or lost teeth that cause misalignment of the jaw.

If your jaw is poorly aligned, your teeth could become sensitive when biting down. In this case, you should plan a visit to your dentist. 

Other things that could cause painful chewing include decayed teeth, gum disease, oral cancer, or dry mouth.

Chew on This

One of the worst parts of having a chewing problem is you might not be able to eat foods you enjoy. It can also have a negative effect on your overall health. Many people believe (and hope) that their teeth and/or jaw pain is a temporary problem that will remedy itself over time.

The best solution to solving chewing problems is getting a thorough checkup by your dentist. To schedule an appointment to discover what’s causing your painful chewing, contact Kanehl Dental Group today.