Gum Swallowing: A Sleep Hazard And Safety Concern

It is generally advised not to sleep with chewing gum in your mouth. While swallowing gum occasionally is harmless, doing so regularly can lead to intestinal blockage. The risk of choking or developing a respiratory infection also increases if you fall asleep with gum in your mouth.

Swallowing gum is not harmful in small amounts

Swallowing gum is generally not harmful in small amounts. The human body cannot digest the gum base due to its unique composition, which is designed to resist digestive processes. However, this does not mean that swallowed gum will stay in your stomach for years, as is commonly believed. Instead, it simply passes through your digestive system and is excreted in your stool within a few days, usually about 40 hours later. This is similar to how the body processes other indigestible materials like fiber, which is crucial for digestive health.

The key concern with swallowing gum is the potential risk of intestinal blockage. This risk arises when large amounts of gum are swallowed within a short period. For example, consuming one piece of gum every day for a week or swallowing multiple pieces at once could lead to a blockage. Intestinal blockages can also occur when gum is swallowed alongside other indigestible objects, forming a mass known as a bezoar. However, occasional gum swallowing is unlikely to cause harm.

The act of swallowing gum is typically safe due to its small size and pliability, allowing it to navigate through the esophagus without causing harm or becoming stuck. While the gum base is not digested, the body can absorb and process other gum ingredients, such as sweeteners and flavorings, through the act of chewing. This is why chewing sugary gum can contribute to calorie intake.

It is worth noting that gum should not be considered a food item. While an occasional swallowed piece of gum is mostly harmless, regularly consuming large amounts could lead to complications. Therefore, it is advisable to spit out gum into a napkin or trash can whenever possible.

Choking hazards

Swallowing gum is generally harmless, but there are some choking hazards to be aware of, especially when sleeping.

Firstly, it is important to note that swallowing gum is not recommended, especially for young children, as it can pose a choking hazard. While gum is usually soft and pliable, allowing it to pass through the digestive system without issue, there is a risk of choking if it is swallowed in large quantities. This is because gum is not digested by the body and can potentially cause a blockage in the intestines if consumed in excess. Symptoms of a blockage may include abdominal pain, constipation, and vomiting, and in such cases, medical attention should be sought.

Additionally, sleeping with gum in your mouth can increase the risk of choking while asleep. This is because the gum may fall out of your mouth and get stuck in your hair or bedding, or you may accidentally inhale it. Choking during sleep can be life-threatening, and conditions such as sleep apnea can cause pauses in breathing while asleep, leading to fatigue, grogginess, and moodiness during the day.

Therefore, it is generally advisable to avoid sleeping with gum in your mouth and to be cautious when consuming gum, especially for young children, to prevent accidental swallowing or choking.

Intestinal blockage

While it is true that swallowing gum will not cause intestinal problems in most cases, there is a possibility that it may lead to intestinal blockage in rare cases. The human body cannot digest the gum base, which is made of elastomers, waxes, resins, and fillers that give gum its chewy texture. However, this does not mean that swallowed gum will get stuck in your intestines or cause long-term gastrointestinal issues. In most cases, the gum will pass through the digestive system and leave the body through a normal bowel movement within a few days.

However, swallowing a large mass of gum or multiple pieces over a short period can potentially block the digestive tract. Blockages are more likely to occur when gum is swallowed along with other indigestible objects, such as sunflower seed shells. This may be more common in children who are too young to understand that gum should be chewed and not swallowed. If you suspect a blockage, it is important to seek medical attention as it may require surgery to remove the obstruction from the digestive tract. Symptoms of a blockage include abdominal pain, constipation, and vomiting.

It is worth noting that while the gum base is not digestible, the sweeteners and other added ingredients in gum are easily broken down and absorbed by the body during the chewing process. Therefore, while the gum itself may pass through intact, the other components are digested and can affect a person's health, especially if a large amount of sugary gum is consumed.

Gum is not food

Gum is made from a substance called gum base, which is largely synthetic and not made from any real food ingredients. The gum base is designed to resist the body's digestive enzymes, so it can be chewed for a long time without breaking down. This is why gum maintains its form and texture for a prolonged period. The act of swallowing gum is typically safe, as it is small and pliable enough to navigate the pathway from the mouth to the stomach without causing harm or getting stuck.

However, swallowing gum is not recommended, especially in large quantities. While an occasional swallowed piece of gum is mostly harmless, regularly consuming large amounts could lead to complications. In rare cases, excessive swallowing of gum can lead to the formation of a gum bezoar, a hardened mass of material that can cause a blockage in the digestive tract. Symptoms of a blockage include abdominal pain, constipation, and vomiting. If you think you have an intestinal blockage, it is important to seek medical attention.

To avoid the risk of an intestinal blockage, it is best not to swallow gum at all. As registered dietitian Beth Czerwony says, "It's just not a food".

The 7-year myth

The truth is that while gum is not digested like most food, it does not stay in your body for years. It passes through your digestive system and is excreted in your stool within a few days, usually between 24 and 72 hours. This is similar to how our bodies process other indigestible materials like fiber. Fiber is a plant-derived substance that passes through our bodies undigested and is crucial for digestive health. Like fiber, the gum base remains undigested but typically causes no harm.

The gum base is designed to resist the body's digestive enzymes, which is why it can be chewed for a long time without breaking down. However, this does not mean it will stay in your body for years. It is important to note that while an occasional swallowed piece of gum is mostly harmless, regularly consuming large amounts could lead to gastrointestinal blockages, especially in children. These blockages occur when multiple pieces of gum combine with other indigestible materials, forming a mass called a bezoar.

Frequently asked questions