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Swallowed gum usually passes through the digestive system without causing harm, but large amounts could cause blockages. Children under five should not chew gum. Gum’s other ingredients, such as sugar, can have negative health effects.
Swallowed gum generally passes through the digestive system, just like most other things that are swallowed. While there is a risk that large amounts of gum swallowed at once could cause an intestinal blockage, swallowed gum generally does not present any danger. Gum resin, which is used to form the chewy base of most gums, is generally indigestible, so it typically passes through the esophagus, stomach, and intestines, to be excreted in one bowel movement two or three days after ingestion.
Many people, especially parents of young children, worry that swallowing gum could be dangerous to their health. In fact, swallowing just a small piece of gum now and then usually doesn’t present any health hazards. However, the gum should generally not be swallowed and should generally be thrown away.
Very young children, usually those under the age of five, probably shouldn’t chew gum at all. The risk of swallowing gum is generally higher in young children, who may not understand that gum is meant to be chewed rather than swallowed. A large amount of swallowed gum could cause a blockage in the digestive tract, but it would probably have to be swallowed all at once. Contrary to what many believe, chewing gum does not generally remain within the stomach or intestines for any significant period of time. It generally takes about the same amount of time to pass through the digestive tract as any other food eaten.
If foreign objects such as coins are swallowed at the same time as the gums, or while gum is still swallowed in the stomach, the chances of intestinal blockage could be higher. Most of the dangers that chewing gum presents are related to its other ingredients, which generally consist of sugar, flavorings, and softeners. The high sugar content in many gums can contribute to tooth decay, weight gain, and type 2 diabetes. Flavoring and softening gums can, in rare cases, cause side effects such as mouth irritation, blood pressure discharge and diarrhoea. The artificial sweeteners used in many sugar-free gums can also have unpleasant side effects, and researchers are not yet confident that they understand the risks of consuming these sweeteners.
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