Mouth Facts, You Must Know It

The Mouth is the first and most important part of the entire digestive process.

Photo credit: Feral78 via Foter.com / CC BY

The mouth produces enzymes and saliva, which starts the process of breaking down food, peristaltic action, and the stimulus of hydrochloric acid production in the stomach. This all begins with chewing.

To ensure proper digestion and absorption of nutrients and to build up your body's natural defenses, you need to chew, chew, and chew your food!!!

Mouth Facts

1. More than 600 species of bacteria may live in your mouth at any one time and may spread throughout your intestinal tract. some bacteria are good for you and assist in the digestion of your food. But some are very bad for you, causing an unhappy gut and compromising your health.

2. Chewing your food thoroughly and swishing liquids around your mouth before swallowing is critical because this triggers the digestive process by stimulating the production of saliva in the mouth, releasing "Lingual Lipase" enzymes from glands under the tongue, and initiating the production of HCI in the stomach. Saliva reduces cavity-causing acid; the enzymes are necessary for the chemical process of digestion, and the HCI helps break down proteins.

3. Chewing also provides the following benefits :

Breaking down food into smaller particles to reduce esophageal stress as it passes into the stomach
Signaling the pancreas to secrete enzymes and bicarbonate into the duodenum of the small intestines
Relaxing the pyloric sphincter at the bottom of the stomach to ease the passage of the food particles to the duodenum

4. In addition to chewing, the mouth is where the peristaltic action begins. Peristalsis increases mucus production, which is important because mucus acts as a lubricant for food passage, protecting you from intestinal abrasion. it also neutralizes the HCI from the stomach, protecting the intestinal lining from eroding, and provides protection against infectious agents such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

5. When you swallow, food passes through a valve (upper esophageal sphincter) into the esophageal, which is the beginning of the next phase of digestion. Some common diseases or disorders that involve the mouth include the following :

Oral cancer
Canker sores
Herpes simplex virus
Mouth fungus (candida)

WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO CHEW MY FOOD BEFORE SWALLOWING ?

We all seem to be in such a hurry these days! Often, we may have only 10 or 15 minutes to get something down and go back to work, or the kids, or some other activity. But digestion begins in the mouth, long before the food arrives in your stomach. For healthy digestion and optimal nourishment, chewing your food may be the most vital part of the digestive process.

So it is absolutely essential that you begin to take the extra few minutes you need to chew, chew, and chew your food! Here's why :

1. Chew each mouthful of food 20-30 times, or until mush, prior to swallowing so that the saliva and enzymes have a chance to break down your food to maximize absorption in the small intestines.

2. Incomplete chewing may lead to any or all of the following :

Incomplete digestion or indigestion
Malabsorption of nutrients from foods
Undigested food that remains in the intestinal tract
Sluggish intestines, which may result in weight gain or stagnation
Increased bacterial overgrowth
Flatulence
Delayed feelings of being "satisfied" which may result in overeating
Symptoms of indigestion such as burping or acid reflux

REMEMBER: Chew, chew and chew every bite!

HOW DOES THE CONDITION OF MY MOUTH AND TEETH AFFECT MY INTESTINAL HEALTH?

Dental hygiene refers to the prevention of disease in the mouth by maintaining clean, healthy teeth and gums. Proper dental hygiene is essential to good digestion because antimicrobial compounds such as lysozyme and IgA (secretory antibodies) in the mucous membranes in your mouth help eliminate bad bacteria. So brush and floss daily, and visit your dentist for regular cleansings and exams.

In addition to maintaining proper dental hygiene, be mindful of the foods and beverages you drink as well. WHY? well, it's simple really: If the foods and beverages you eat can build or damage healthy bone and tissue in the body, they can also build or damage healthy teeth and gums!

According to worldental.org, the following foods support healthy teeth and gums:

Green tea, which contains polyphenol antioxidant plant compounds that reduce plaque, cavities, and gum disease. Green tea may also reduce bad breath and strengthen tooth enamel because of its high fluoride content.
Dairy foods are beneficial because of their low acidity, which reduces wear and tear on the teeth. Additionally, dairy foods are high in calcium, the main component of teeth.
Cheese contains calcium and phosphate, which help balance pH in the mouth, preserve (and rebuild) tooth enamel, produce saliva, and kill bacteria that may cause cavities and disease.
Fruits such as apples, strawberries, and kiwis contain vitamin C, which is considered the element that holds cells together. If this vitamin is neglected, gum cells may break down, making gums tender and susceptible to disease.
Vitamin A, which is found in pumpkins, carrots, sweet potatoes, and broccoli, is necessary for the formation of tooth enamel. Crunchy vegetables may also help clean gums.
Onions contain antibacterial sulfur compounds. Tests have shown that onions may kill various types of bacteria, especially when eaten raw.
Celery may protect teeth by generating saliva that neutralizes the acid that causes demineralization and cavities. It also massgaes the teeth and gums.
Sesame seed reduce plaque and help build tooth enamel. They are also very high in calcium

Discover More :

Foods Containing Vitamin A, B, C, and E.

Beef, chicken, turkey, and eggs contain phosphorus, which, along with calcium, is one of the two most vital minerals of teeth and bone.
Water cleans the mouth and generates saliva, which deposits essential minerals into the teeth. It keeps gums hydrated and washes away particles from the teeth.

Take good care of your teeth and gums: Your ultimate good health may depend on it!

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