Chewing – Doing it long enough? Part 2 -Hormones and enzymes

Chewing is a powerful stimulant to the production of saliva from the major salivary glands especially the parotid glands found within the cheeks. The duct where the saliva is released is opposite the upper molar teeth. The other gland is the sub mandibular gland found under the lower jaw and whose ducts are found under the tongue.

As a result, as the flow increases through the structure of the glands, altered resorption of ions occur. There is a dramatic shift in the production of bicarbonate ions and as a result there is an increase in the pH. Now a pH of 7 is neutral, the saliva, at rest, is normally slightly acidic at 6.5. Stimulated saliva is 8.0-8.5 pH causing a 100-fold reduction in hydrogen ions – i.e. reduction in acidity, big time!!!

Acid erosion from food and drink

Did you know acid in the food and drink that you consume can affect your teeth?

We advise patients to limit the amount of acidic foods and drinks they consume as it can over time contribute to erosion of the outermost enamel layer of the teeth. This exposes the underlying dentine layer and can cause sensitivity as a result.

The image below gives an example of the pH of things. The lower the pH of a food or drink, the more acidic it is and therefore the more potential to cause damage to your teeth.

The best way to prevent erosion, is to avoid these foods and drinks including sports drinks, energy drinks, carbonated water and soda, and chewing properly!

Stimulated saliva creates a high pH that promotes remineralisation of the enamel via calcium and phosphates ions forming mineral formation. Acidity reverses this.

Increased saliva flow clears the build ups of bacterial and their products in the mouth and promotes the antimicrobial actions of saliva.

This can be also achieved with sugarless chewing gum.

Salivary Enzyme Amylase

This enzyme aids in digestions by breaking down the bonds within starch and glycogen to release glucose. The higher the concentration of this enzyme will release more glucose from the same quantity of food and will do so more quickly.

Hormones  

The release of more glucose from the food increases early insulin secretion that leads to better glucose absorption into the cells of the body.

Glucose is the fuel of the body!

Longer chewing extends the taste perception for longer.

This extended chewing suppresses Ghrelin – the appetite hormone, which is elevated between meals.

Extended chewing supresses the levels of Ghrelin and therefore reduces appetite and hunger.

This may reduce obesity and diabetes & dementia.