Your Stomach Doesn't Come With Teeth

Your Stomach Doesn't Come With Teeth
By Dr. Kayvan Ashnaei

Chewing is a vital factor in the digestive process. Many people think that the digestive system includes only the stomach and intestines, and they forget that the digestive process actually starts in the mouth. Chewing is a mechanical action that breaks down large amounts of food into smaller particles. The more the food is broken down, the more it is exposed to saliva for a longer period of time, which puts less stress on the digestive system. Proper chewing is healthy!

Benefits to chewing your food thoroughly:

• Helps your overall health by starting the digestive process properly
• Helps deliver nutrients to the cells in your body more quickly
• Helps control your appetite by tricking the brain into thinking you've eaten more than you actually have
• Helps you lose body fat since you end up eating less
• Helps reduce that heavy feeling that can follow a meal
• Boosts your energy
• Increases your immune system
• Gives you a health boost by stimulating the parotid glands
• Improves your digestive efficiency
• Improves your general health

Side effects of not chewing your food thoroughly:

• Leads to poorly digested food that ferments in the stomach for a long time
• Results in poor absorption of vitamins and nutrients
• Contributes to acid reflux, which can damage the lining of the throat and esophagus
• Causes flatulence, indigestion, heartburn and other discomforts
• Increases constipation, abdominal spasms and bloating
• Allows more air to enter, which increases gas and burping
• Increases the need for digestive aids like antacids or other supplements
• Increases the energy needed in order to digest the food
• Results in feeling tired and having low energy

For people who have trouble chewing food, it may be helpful to cut food into smaller pieces and allow extra time to chew food at a comfortable, unhurried pace. Another helpful hint is to put your fork down on your plate after each bite. For people who just do not have the time to chew each bite thoroughly, a well-balanced meal replacement shake is a good alternative.

Chewing thoroughly takes some time to get used to and will be strange at first. Making a conscious effort to be aware of your chewing habits is a good start. A lot of people say that chewing a set number of times before swallowing their food helps them remember to chew thoroughly. If that seems tedious, then do not worry about counting how many times you chew each bite, but make sure each bite is almost in liquid form before you swallow.

Now that you have learned the importance of chewing for the digestive system, don't forget to get your teeth checked to make sure they are up to the task.

For more information on this topic or Dental Services, please visit one of the modern Coquitlam dental clinics online.

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