Chewing breaks up food so that it has more exposed surface area. The tongue moves food under the teeth so that it can be chewed. The tongue has taste buds which convey information to the brain about the food. It also aids in swallowing food. The act of chewing is called mastication.
Salivary glands supply the mouth with a liquid substance called saliva.
Saliva moistens and lubricates food so that it can be more easily chewed and swallowed. Saliva also dissolves some of the food so that it can be tasted. Saliva has a pH of 6.7, making it slightly acidic. There are three pairs of salivary glands. The largest pair are the parotid glands which lie just in front of, and slightly below the opening of the ears.