The food and drinks are prepared in the mouth and contained on the tongue in preparation for the next phase of the swallow.
The Oral Phase includes lips, tongue, dentition and oral cavity.
The lips remain closed and rely on lip muscle strength to contain food and drink.
Food is chewed and mixed with saliva to form a bolus.
Tongue rate, range and strength are constantly controlled to move the food and clear the mouth of food particles.
Breathing continues during this stage.
