1.
Chew the Pain Away: Oral Habits to Cope with Pain and Stress and to Stimulate Cognition.
Weijenberg, RA, Lobbezoo, F
BioMed research international. 2015;:149431
Abstract
The acute effects of chewing gum on cognitive performance, stress, and pain have been intensively studied in the last decade. The results have been contradicting, and replication studies proved challenging. Here, we review some of the recent findings of this topic and explore possible explanations for these discrepancies by incorporating knowledge derived from studies into oral habits and bruxism. Both stress and cerebral functional specialization (i.e., the involvement of specific brain structures in distinctive cognitive processes) are hypothesized to play a major role in the underlying physiological mechanisms of the diverse effects of chewing gum on cognition, stress, and pain.
2.
Effects of chewing on appetite, food intake and gut hormones: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Miquel-Kergoat, S, Azais-Braesco, V, Burton-Freeman, B, Hetherington, MM
Physiology & behavior. 2015;:88-96
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To seek insights into the relationship between chewing, appetite, food intake and gut hormones, and to consider potentially useful recommendations to promote benefits of chewing for weight management. MATERIALS AND METHODS Papers were obtained from two electronic databases (Medline and Cochrane), from searches of reference lists, and from raw data collected from the figures in the articles. A total of 15 papers were identified that detailed 17 trials. All 15 papers were included in the systematic review; however, a further five studies were excluded from the meta-analysis because appropriate information on hunger ratings was not available. The meta-analysis was conducted on a total of 10 papers that detailed 13 trials. RESULTS Five of 16 experiments found a significant effect of chewing on satiation or satiety using self-report measures (visual analogue scales, VASs). Ten of 16 experiments found that chewing reduced food intake. Three of five studies showed that increasing the number of chews per bite increased relevant gut hormones and two linked this to subjective satiety. The meta-analysis found evidence of both publication bias and between study heterogeneity (IA(2) = 93.4%, tau(2) = 6.52, p < 0.001) which decreased, but remained, when covariates were considered. Analysis of the heterogeneity found a substantial effect of the fasting period where the duration of fasting influenced the decrease in hunger due to chewing. Prolonged mastication significantly reduces self-reported hunger levels (hunger: − 2.31 VAS point, 95% CI [− 4.67, − 1.38], p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Evidence currently suggests that chewing may decrease self-reported hunger and food intake, possibly through alterations in gut hormone responses related to satiety. Although preliminary, the results identify a need for additional research in the area. Focused, uniform, experimental designs are required to clearly understand the relationships that exist between mastication, appetite, satiety, food intake and, ultimately, body weight.
3.
Early in contrast to recent methods to evaluate masticatory function in implant patients.
Carlsson, GE
Journal of prosthodontic research. 2012;(1):3-10
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim was to describe early and a few recent methods to evaluate masticatory function in patients before and after implant treatment. STUDY SELECTION Three Swedish doctoral theses from the early era of osseointegration and a recent Swedish doctoral thesis studying oral function in implant patients are reviewed. Furthermore, a PubMed search was conducted to identify studies published during the last 3 years related to masticatory function in implant patients. RESULTS The first studies used questionnaires and methods for assessing bite force and chewing efficiency before and after implant treatment. Subsequent studies included methods evaluating dietary selection, psychological problems, occlusal perception, oral stereognosis, oral motor ability and phonetics. The results demonstrated overwhelming improvement, both subjectively and objectively, of oral functions, and in the patients' lives, after implant treatment. The methods employed appear to have been adequate and they have continued to be utilized, only slightly modified, in a number of subsequent and recent studies. New methods using custom-made equipment to monitor changes in bite force, jaw movements and muscle activity during various tasks demonstrated the important role of periodontal mechanoreceptors in biting and chewing. These methods promise to be valuable in ongoing and future prosthodontic research. CONCLUSIONS The early methods used for assessment of masticatory function appear to have been adequate and they have, with only slight modifications, continued to be utilized. New methods monitoring bite force, jaw movements and muscle activity have deepened the knowledge of masticatory functions and promise to be valuable in future prosthodontic research.