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Question:
My 2-year-old grandson swallows lots of bubble gum. Could this be harmful?
Answer:
Many of us grew up with the warning that we shouldn't swallow our gum because it would take seven years for it to be digested or it would clog up our intestines. Although neither of these old wives' tales are true, chewing gum is not intended to be swallowed.

Chewing gum is classified as a food product by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and, as such, must meet strict safety standards. Because gum manufacturers tend to keep their recipes secret, however, the exact ingredients and differences between various types of chewing gum are not readily known.

The most common ingredients in chewing gum include sugar, gum base, corn syrup, flavoring, coloring and softeners (such as vegetable oil). Gum base is an inert, insoluble preparation designed to deliver the flavors, sugars and sweeteners that make the product palatable. Gum base, which is mostly synthetic, is made of a combination of plastics, rubber or latex. Because gum base is insoluble, it cannot be digested and will pass through the digestive system in one piece within a few days of being swallowed.

The sugar substitutes sorbitol, mannitol or hexitol -- often found in sugar-free gums -- can cause diarrhea when they pass into the small intestine and colon in large amounts, as may occur if you swallow multiple pieces of gum in a short period of time. It's important to note that people who have irritable bowel syndrome, colitis or other intestinal ailments that could be aggravated by the bowel purging properties of the sugar substitutes should avoid sugar-free gum.

Given your grandson's age, keep in mind that the greatest harm associated with bubble gum may not be digestive in nature. For a 2-year-old, chewing bubble gum poses a significant risk of choking. Although most toddlers have a full set of teeth, their chewing and swallowing skills may still be immature. A rambunctious, running toddler could easily swallow and choke on a piece of bubble gum.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more than 17,000 American children have choking episodes serious enough to send them to the emergency room every year, resulting in approximately 160 deaths. Children younger than age 1 are at highest risk, but choking can occur at any age. Foods are the most common cause of choking, with gum, hard candy, nuts and popcorn at the top of the list. Among nonfood items, coins, beads, balloons and small toy parts can also pose a choking hazard.

For safety's sake, it's best not to give hard candy or gum to children younger than age 5. While we hate to deny our children and grandchildren their favorite gum or candy, doing so may be the best way to keep them safe.

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ToolTroll said:

How many pieces are we talking about here?
And thanks for not spitting it onto the sidewalk.

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