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The unappealing taste of the chewing material and the time-consuming repetitive task in masticatory performance tests using artificial foodstuff may discourage children from performing natural chewing movements. Therefore, the aim was to determine the validity and reliability of a two-colour chewing gum mixing ability test for masticatory performance (MP) assessment in mixed dentition children. Masticatory performance was tested in two groups: systemically healthy fully dentate young adults and children in mixed dentition. Median particle size was assessed using a comminution test, and a two-colour chewing gum mixing ability test was applied for MP analysis. Validity was tested with Pearson correlation, and reliability was tested with intra-class correlation coefficient, Pearson correlation and Bland-Altman plots. Both comminution and two-colour chewing gum mixing ability tests revealed statistically significant MP differences between children ( n = 25) and adults ( n = 27, both P < 0·01). Pearson correlation between comminution and two-colour chewing gum mixing ability tests was positive and significant ( r = 0·418, P = 0·002). Correlations for interobserver reliability and test-retest values were significant ( r = 0·990, P = 0·0001 and r = 0·995, P = 0·0001). Although both methods could discriminate MP differences, the comminution test detected these differences generally in a wider range compared to two-colour chewing gum mixing ability test. However, considering the high reliability of the results, the two-colour chewing gum mixing ability test can be used to assess masticatory performance in children, especially at non-clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tongue thrust, which is an oral reflex associated with sucking behaviour, may cause problems in swallowing, speech, oro-facial development and also drooling. We aimed to examine the effect of Functional Chewing Training (Fu CT) on tongue thrust and drooling in children with cerebral palsy. The study included 32 children with a mean age of 58·25 ± 9·58 months who had tongue thrust. Children were divided into two groups: the Fu CT group and control group receiving classical oral motor exercises. Each group received training for 12 weeks. Oral motor assessment was performed. Chewing performance level was determined with the Karaduman Chewing Performance Scale. Tongue thrust severity was evaluated with the Tongue Thrust Rating Scale. The Drooling Severity and Frequency Scale was used to evaluate drooling severity and frequency. The evaluations were performed before and after treatment. Groups were well matched in age, gender and oral motor assessment. No significant difference was found between groups in terms of pre-treatment chewing function, tongue thrust severity, drooling severity and frequency ( P > 0·05). The Fu CT group showed improvement in chewing performance ( P = 0·001), tongue thrust severity ( P = 0·046) and drooling severity ( P = 0·002), but no improvement was found in terms of drooling frequency ( P = 0·082) after treatment. There was no improvement in chewing performance, tongue thrust, drooling severity and frequency in the control group. A significant difference was found between groups in favour of Fu CT group in tongue thrust severity ( P = 0·043). This study showed that the Fu CT is an effective approach on the severity of tongue thrust and drooling in children with CP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]