Did you know that poor chewing directly affects the health of our teeth and gums? 

Beyond being just a reflex action that we perform as soon as we start eating, chewing is the mechanism by which we inform our digestive system that it has to get to work. In fact, doing it incorrectly can cause us problems, not only digestive, but also oral. 

How does poor chewing affect oral health?

When we chew, we generate saliva, which in turn produces ptyalin, the enzyme responsible for breaking down carbohydrates and eliminating bacteria that may be contained in food. Doing this correctly is essential to help our body digest what we eat. 

When we do not do it the right way, food passes through the digestive tract without ptyalin, and the body has to work twice as hard to eliminate what it does not need. 

In terms of digestive health, this can lead to gas, heaviness, gastritis, reflux, heartburn… But as we have already mentioned, there are also consequences for oral health. 

The absence of saliva increases the likelihood that microorganisms present in food will adhere to the teeth, forming plaque that will later damage oral health. This happens because, in the absence of saliva, there is no generation of Th17 lymphocytes, immune cells specialized in fighting bacteria and fungi that enter into the mouth and gums and that are produced by chewing. 

The absence of saliva increases the likelihood that microorganisms present in food will adhere to the teeth, forming plaque that will later damage oral health. This happens because, in the absence of saliva, there is no generation of Th17 lymphocytes, immune cells specialized in fighting bacteria and fungi that enter into the mouth and gums and that are produced by chewing. 

However, excessive chewing is not advisable either, as it can overload and damage the masseter muscles, as well as erode the teeth in the long term. Also beware of over-stimulation of Th17 lymphocytes: this can lead to periodontitis. 

Benefits of chewing properly  

1. Helps digestion, as the secreted saliva breaks down food before it enters the stomach.  
2. Increases nutrient absorption: the more we chew, the more nutrients are absorbed.
3. Improves our relationship with food.  
4. Reduces stress, as by chewing slowly and with our mouth closed, we breathe through our nose and oxygenate our organism better. 
5. It reduces the risk of choking. 
6. It prevents tooth decay.  
7. Stimulates facial muscles and strengthens teeth and gums. 

The link between poor chewing and periodontitis

Several studies have analysed the link between poor chewing, metabolic syndrome and periodontitis. 

One of the most recent studies, conducted at Aichi-Gakuin University School of Dentistry and published in the Journal of Epidemiology, focused on the relationship between oral health, habits and metabolic syndrome in a number of people aged 75 to 80 years. 

From the results obtained, they drew the following conclusions: 

• Metabolic syndrome is essentially linked to those who eat in a hurry, that is, who do not chew enough. 
• Participants who used complementary oral hygiene products (dental floss or interdental brushes) showed a lower risk of metabolic syndrome than those who did not. 
• Weak dentures negatively affect the choice of foods eaten; there is a tendency to follow a diet high in carbohydrates to the detriment of protein, fruit or vegetables. 

Kyushu University, meanwhile, looked for evidence of a link between metabolic syndrome and periodontitis. To do this, they analysed the abdominal fat, triglyceride levels, cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose levels of 584 middle-aged women. In the results, this link was confirmed; in fact, the experts advised people with indicators of metabolic syndrome to regularly undergo a rigorous periodontal examination. 

The relationship between optimal oral health and chewing is a circle: if we take care of our teeth, we will eat properly, and vice versa. It is when we do not take care of them that the problems begin, which can stem from something as simple and easy to manage as correct chewing. 

The weaker the denture, the more difficult it becomes to chew certain foods. Fortunately, today there are various solutions to this problem, with dental implants being the most effective, both in the short and long term. 

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