Overview
Many children chew gum, yet very little is known about the potential hazards associated with this habit. The International Chewing Gum Association (ICGA) recommends that very small children do not chew gum, and advises that parents should judge at what age their children are ready to chew gum properly.
Cavities
Chewing gum sweetened with sugar, concentrated sweeteners or corn syrup is associated with the development of tooth decay. Sugar-free gum, on the other hand, may actually improve oral health.
Choking/Swallowed Gum
Although there is a choking hazard associated with chewing gum, is is no higher than the risk of choking on food, according to the ICGA.
Possible complications of swallowing gum include intestinal tract and esophageal obstruction, as seen in several cases reported by Milov and colleagues in the journal Pediatrics. Swallowed gum should pass through a person’s digestive system within a few days, according to the ICGA.
Complications
Additives used in the manufacture of chewing gum may also cause health problems, according to Milov and colleagues. Adverse effects of gum chewing may include diarrhea, flatulence and borborygmi (stomach gas) from gum containing sorbitol; mouth ulcers from gum containing cinnamon flavoring; perioral dermatitis from gum oils; diffuse cutaneous urticaria from chlorophylla, menthol or butylhydroxytoluene; and hypertension or hypokalemia from licorice (glycyrrhetinic acid).
Physical Problems
The motion of chewing gum itself may cause various physical complications in children. These include occlusion of the endotracheal tube; dislodging of dental work such as fillings and orthodontics; increased levels of serum mercury (in children with amalgam fillings); hypertrophy of the masticatory muscles; increased air swallowing, and temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ), which involves the lower jaw.
Medicated Gum
Children who are accidentally exposed to medicated gum may also suffer adverse consequences. Overconsumption of caffeinated stimulant chewing gums may result in caffeine intoxication. Likewise, ingestion of nicotine gum by children is potentially dangerous.
About this Author
Nathaniel Dunford has been a medical writer and editor since 1999, including a long stint at Pfizer. He was also a social worker for a number of years. Dunford has a Master of Social Work from Hunter College and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of California at Berkeley.
