Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 2, 2025
Assessment of Midline Lingual Point-Pressure Somatosensation Using Von Frey Hair Monofilaments
Published on: February 21, 2020
Influence of masticatory side switch frequency on masticatory mixing ability and sensory perception in adults with
Tatiana Ignatova-Mishutina1, Laura Khoury-Ribas2, Elan Ignacio Flores-Orozco3
1PhD Student, Department of Odontostomatology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
Statement Of Problem:
The advantages and disadvantages of frequently changing sides while masticating remain unclear.
Purpose:
The purpose of this clinical study was to determine the effect of varying the frequency of masticatory side switches on masticatory mixing ability and sensory perception in dentate adults.
Material And Methods:
This nonblinded, randomized 12-period crossover study, conducted at Barcelona Dental School from January to March 2022, included 36 healthy adults with natural dentitions (median age, 23.5 years; 26 women). Participants were randomly allocated to 12 sequences and performed 12 masticatory assays masticating a 2-colored gum for 40 cycles each using the following masticatory styles as interventions: freestyle, unilateral right, unilateral left, and switching sides 5%, 15%, and 25%. The primary outcome was the mixing ability index (MAI), defined as the standard deviation of the red channel intensity of the masticated gum in the color-histogram plugin of the ImageJ software program. Participants also rated the perceived flavor intensity and salivary flow on a visual analog scale. Data were analyzed by repeated measures analysis of variance (α=.05).
Results:
The MAI was similar for all masticatory styles (P=.63). Participants perceived greater flavor intensity (mean difference: 8%, 95% CI: 1% to 15%) and salivary flow (mean difference: 11%, 95% CI: 0% to 21%) with 25% side switching compared with freestyle or unilateral mastication.
Conclusions:
Frequently switching the masticatory side while masticating gum does not alter the mixing ability, but it appears to enhance salivary flow and flavor intensity.
