ORAL BOLUS KNEADING AND SHAPING MEASURED WITH CHEWING GUM

A masticatory test using two-colored chewing gum is presented and anal yzed. Two separate parameters of chewing were studied on the same chew ing gum bolus after 10 strokes of oral preparation, color mixing, and bolus shaping. The two parameters were evaluated in indices 1-5. A tes t series should preferably contain three chewing gums, and color mixin g can be evaluated on six sides and shape-indexed for each bolus. The medians characterize the subjects' masticatory ability. Color mixing m ay relate, for example, to ensalivation of the food during chewing, an d bolus shape may relate to preparation into a form suitable for swall owing. The tests were used on test subjects with different dental and denture status. Significant differences in both color mixing and shape indices were found between groups with different status. The method i s discussed in relation to earlier types of tests, e.g., the comminuti on test mostly used hitherto.