Lateral preference in mastication: a feasibility study.
To study lateral bolus placement during mastication, referred to as masticatory lateral preference, fifteen males and ten females chewed sugarless gum for 15, 20 and 25 s, and visual inspections were done of either right or left side bolus placements. In each of three series of observations, there were no significant differences between right or left side bolus placements. Three consecutive spot checks, in single subjects, showed that lateral preference occurred at random. However, information on a favoured chewing side predicted fairly reliably the side of observed masticatory lateral preference. Observed lateral preference could not be predicted from hand laterality. Consistent and predominant right or left lateral preference was, presumably, an expression of mainly motivational chewing behaviour.
D000328:Adult; D002638:Chewing Gum; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication; D013997:Time Factors; D014061:Tongue Habits
D002638:Chewing Gum