Gum could possibly be just as effective as flossing, even though they each target different areas of the mouth. Chewing gum does not remove bacteria from the same places of the dentition as does brushing or flossing.
Dictionary.com defines a passive restraint as âa safety device, as an air bag or special seat belt, that is activated automatically to protect an automobile passenger at the moment of impact when a collision occurs.â Passive restraints are not limited to vehicular safety.
Epiglottic vallecula. The epiglottic vallecula is a depression (vallecula) just behind the root of the tongue between the folds in the throat. These depressions serve as spit traps; saliva is temporarily held in the valleculae to prevent initiation of the swallowing reflex. The vallecula is an important reference landmark used during intubation of the trachea.