Chewing gum



Chewing gum is like confectionery, but it is made to be chewed, not swallowed.

Unsweetened (sugar free) chewing gum stimulates saliva production, and helps to clean the surface of the teeth (even sugary gum may be helpful, since the sugar dissolves out very quickly).

Bubblegum is a type of chewing gum that is especially designed for blowing bubbles.

Chicle is a natural latex product that was widely used as a base for chewing gum. Many modern chewing gums use petroleum based plastic instead of chicle. Chicle is still the base of choice for some "upscale" gum brands, as well as some regional markets, such as that of Japan.

When spat on the ground, chewing gum will stick firmly and can only be removed with great difficulty. For this reason, the sale of chewing gum is prohibited in Singapore. Recently, however, some types of chewing gum (e.g. nicotine replacement gums) have been allowed under strictly monitored distribution.

An old wives' tale states that chewing gum, if swallowed, may take up to seven years to become fully digested, and that swallowing gum could also result in the substance becoming lodged in the oesophagus. This is untrue, and although chewing gum does resist complete digestion by the body, it is expelled like other foods, though relatively unchanged. There is also a very low risk of gum becoming lodged inside the body.