Accessed July 22, Picco M. Chewing gum: is swallowing it harmful? Ask a digestive system specialist. The Mayo Clinic website. What happens to swallowed gum? The Nemours Foundation website. Exceptional Nurses Winchester Hospital was the first community hospital in the state to achieve Magnet designation, recognition for nursing excellence. Supporting Our Community Our tremendous staff gives back to our community by coordinating free health screenings, educational programs, and food drives.
What Our Patients are Saying A leading indicator of our success is the feedback we get from our patients. Home Health Library. Evidence for the Health Claim Chewing gum is made of the following main ingredients: a natural or synthetic gum base, glycerin, vegetable-oil based compounds, sorbitol and mannitol or saccharin, preservatives, flavorings, and colorings.
Evidence Against the Health Claim Chewing gum has been part of human culture since at least 7, BC, the approximate date to which masses of prehistoric tar marked with teeth imprints can be traced.
Conclusion Documentation of intestinal blockages due to chewing gum seem to point only to a danger in swallowing excessive amounts of chewing gum repeatedly, as opposed to swallowing a single piece occasionally. References Chewing gum.
Image Credit: Nucleus Communications, Inc. Cancer Care. Emergency Services. Cesarean Birth. Imaging Services. High Blood Pressure. Laboratory Services. Maternity Services. Hip Replacement. Primary Care. Type 2 Diabetes. Surgical Services. Home Care. The gum's journey ends during a trip to the bathroom. Kids shouldn't chew gum until they fully understand the importance of not swallowing it.
By age 5, most children will understand that gum is different than candy and is not to be swallowed. So if you have younger brothers or sisters, don't offer them gum until they're older and your mom or dad says it's OK. Too much of anything can be a problem. Chewing gum is hard on dental work and most gums that are not sugar free can cause cavities. Sugar-free gum sweetened with sorbitol also can be a problem because it can cause diarrhea. Cinnamon-flavored gums of any kind may irritate the mouth lining.
They can be hot and spicy in your mouth, as you probably know. Like most food you eat, the gum will pass through your digestive system in a timely fashion. You can expect to see your fully intact wad of gum make a comeback in your stool within 1 to 3 days.
Swallowing too much gum in a short time could lead to a blockage in your intestines. But there are some general formulations you can expect. Gum base is the rubbery component that gives gum its chewy qualities. Other key ingredients of gum are resin to hold it together, fillers to provide texture, and preservatives to help to extend the shelf life. Softeners, sweeteners , and flavorings give each chewing gum its individual flavor profile or its uncanny ability to lose its flavor after 5 minutes.
Gum is one of the few socially acceptable foods reminiscent of a mama bird feeding her baby. We chew it up and then spit it out. This may raise the question: Is gum food or entertainment?
The U. But the FDA does classify it as a food — with a disclaimer. While gum can contain natural ingredients, the FDA permits synthetic additives in gum that are considered safe for human consumption. These can include:. Swallowing your gum, either accidentally or intentionally, is mostly harmless. The gum will pass through your system undigested and then come out fully intact in your poo. In the case of a blockage, an emergency surgery may be required to remove it. Call your doc ASAP if you think you have a blockage.
Again, according to the FDA, gum is safe for human consumption. But this classification comes with regulations that detail what ingredients and how much of each substance can be used in gum. Butylated hydroxytoluene, titanium dioxide, and aspartame are controversial ingredients in chewing gum.
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