Chances are, if you grew up anywhere in the civilized world, you’ve chewed gum at least once in your life. Chewing gum has been around since the Stone Age. Black lumps of prehistoric tar containing human teeth marks have been found in Northern Europe. The ancient Greeks chewed resin from the mastic tree; North American Indians chewed spruce gum. Today, the variety of flavors, shapes and ingredients available in chewing gum seems almost limitless.
The vast majority of people who chew gum suffer no ill effects, but there are some dangers associated with the practice, of which everyone should be aware.
The greatest danger when chewing gum is that of choking. A sudden, involuntary intake of breath, such as before a laugh. a yawn or a sneeze, can result in the gum being inhaled and becoming lodged in the windpipe or trachea. If someone is not nearby to apply the Heimlich manoeuvre, the chewer could be in serious trouble.
Gum should not be given to a child under five years old. Young children are accustomed to putting food in their mouths, chewing and swallowing. They may not understand that gum is to be chewed for a long time and not swallowed, but spit out. Even when they seem to understand, they may easily forget when they get involved in play, or their attention is elsewhere.
Swallowing gum can cause other problems. The body can’t digest it. Usually, it passes intact through the digestive system and is excreted. However, ingesting a large wad, or many smaller pieces within a short time can cause a blockage, especially when the chewer is suffering from constipation. A blockage is also more likely if foreign objects, such a coin, hair or husks from seeds are swallowed with the gum.
There have been rare cases reported in which children who are habitual gum-swallowers develop bezoars. A bezoar is a lump of indigestible matter that becomes stuck in the esophagus or the intestines. It causes a blockage, and its removal may require surgery.
There are other health concerns associated with chewing gum:
* Frequent use of sugary gum can cause dental cavities and add additional calories to the diet.
* Excessive chewing can damage teeth, fillings and braces.
* Sugar substitutes ( a few of which are hexitol, sorbitol, and mannitol ), can cause diarrhea.
* Some doctors believe that excessive use of gum causes increased production of stomach acid, which may result in heartburn.
* Some gums are sweetened with aspartame, a substance which has been linked to cancer, diabetes, birth defects and neurological disorders.
* Other health problems associated with chewing gum are: gas, bloating, chronic constipation, and stomach aches.
Despite the warnings, most people will continue to chew gum. They believe it increases memory, helps them focus and concentrate and reduces stress.
For candy companies, chewing gums are big business. Each year their profits approach $21 billion, and a significant portion comes from gum, many varieties of which are targeted specifically at children.
Perhaps the most sensible approach would be to limit gum usage to one or two sugar-free pieces a day, and to remind the youngsters in your immediate vicinity, when they are finished with their gum, don’t swallow it. Spit it out!
