Mastication and Swallowing: 1. Functions, Performance and Mechanisms

From Volume 36, Issue 6, July 2009 | Pages 327-337

Authors

Robert Orchardson

BSc, BDS, PhD, FDS RCPS(Glasg)

Institute of Biomedical & Life Sciences, Laboratory of Human Anatomy, University of Glasgow

Articles by Robert Orchardson

Samuel W Cadden

BSc, BDS, PhD, FDS RCS(Edin)

Professor of Oral Biology, Section of Clinical Dental Sciences, The Dental School, University of Dundee, Park Place, Dundee DD1 4HN

Articles by Samuel W Cadden

Abstract

The process of mastication involves movements of the tongue, lips and cheeks as well as the more obvious actions of the teeth and jaws. In recent years there have been significant advances in our knowledge of the relationships between these movements in human beings and of how the processes of mastication are related to the associated events of swallowing. In this, the first of two papers, we review the role of mastication in food processing and nutrition and the effect of tooth loss on masticatory performance. The paper also reviews new information on masticatory and swallowing functions in human beings eating naturally. The review relates this knowledge to clinical dentistry, notably to the relevance of a good dentition to the digestive process and practical considerations in the replacement of missing teeth.

Article