5 Reasons to Chew Your Food Slowly

Think back to your last meal—did you give any thought to how long you chewed your bites of food for? Probably not.

For most of us, chewing is like a habit or reflex done without any conscious effort. However, the process of chewing is quite important to your overall health and serves as the first step of your digestion process.

Here are a few reasons to consider slower chewing at your next meal.

1. Increased saliva production. The more you chew, the more saliva forms in your mouth which help to clear food out of the crevices of your teeth and make swallowing easier.
2. You’ll absorb more nutrients and energy from your food. By slowing down your chewing habits, you’ll help to break food down more than you would by rushing through a meal.
3. Chewing longer helps you maintain a healthy weight. Think about it—the longer you chew, the more time it takes you to complete a meal. This can help you eat less as opposed to chomping down dinner without even tasting it.
4. It’s great for your teeth. The bones and muscles in your mouth get a workout when you chew, which helps keep them strong.
5. It helps you enjoy your food. After all, don’t you want to savor the taste of your favorite meal rather than just tossing it back without a thought?

For more teeth-friendly tips, ask us at your next visit. We look forward to seeing you soon!