Mastication (chewing) involves cutting food with the incisors and grinding with the molars, powered by strong jaw muscles. Chewing is mostly controlled by reflexes where dropping the jaw allows food to be re-compressed and the process repeats. Thorough chewing increases the food's surface area for efficient digestion. Swallowing has three stages - voluntary oral movement into the pharynx, involuntary passage through the pharynx and esophagus by peristalsis waves to the stomach in 5-8 seconds. The lower esophageal sphincter regulates food entry into the stomach.