Impaired mastication

What it means

An abnormal reduction in the ability to masticate (chew), i.e., in the ability to crush and ground food in preparation for swallowing.

Chewing and swallowing are interrelated. The act of chewing plays a fundamental role in the process of swallowing food. Mastication prepares food for swallowing by breaking it into small particles. Accordingly, loss of teeth has been associated with swallowing difficulties. Chewing difficulties may be caused by loss of teeth, partial dentures, or by tooth pain. Swallowing difficulties, in contrast, are often characterized by difficulties swallowing liquids, reflux, throat spasms, choking on dry food, or dysphagia.

Rare diseases that can present with this23

The range is how often this sign appears among people diagnosed with each disease — it is not a probability of having any of them. Many of these signs also occur in common, non-rare conditions. A sign on this page is a conversation to have with a clinician, not a conclusion.

Part of the broader category

Also called: Chewing difficulty · Difficulty chewing