BEST DENTAL HYGIENE IN AMINJIKARAI! Your teeth, tongue and salivary glands begin the digestive process by grinding your food into smaller pieces, which are easier to digest. Many suggest that you should chew each mouthful 32 times. That might not be enough for steak or nuts. And probably way too much for watermelon or other fruit. The purpose of chewing is to break down your food so it becomes liquefied and loses its texture. As you chew, your salivary glands secrete various enzymes that are mixed with your food. Now that your food is fully crushed and in liquid form, it’s ready for the second stage of digestion in your stomach.