Do Teeth Break Down Food Mechanically?

The teeth aid in mechanical digestion by masticating (chewing) food. Mastication permits easier deglutition (swallowing) and faster chemical breakdown in the digestive tract. During mastication, salivary glands secrete saliva to soften the food into a bolus (semi-solid lump).

How is food broken down mechanically in the mouth?

Food is ingested through the mouth and broken down through mastication (chewing). Food must be chewed in order to be swallowed and broken down by digestive enzymes. While food is being chewed, saliva chemically processes the food to aid in swallowing.

What is mechanical breakdown of food?

Mechanical breakdown starts with mastication (chewing) in the mouth. Teeth crush and grind large food particles, while saliva initiates the chemical breakdown of food and enables its movement downward. The slippery mass of partially broken-down food is called bolus, which moves down the digestive tract as you swallow.