Harm of chewing too much gum?

[slackerinabox]

I quit smoking 3 days ago and have been chewing maybe 8 packs of gum a day. I was a chain smoker and now I'm a chain chewer... My jaw is sore but are there any other side effects - perhaps too much sugar free gum could lead to something nasty? Migraines, maybe? Any one know of another good distraction technique for former smokers.. Biting myself stopped being fun.

 

[HN]

mouth ulcers.
gas (from sorbitol in sugarless gum)

 

[PhoenixOrion]

TMJ Syndrome

 

[hypn0tik]

It's not the gum....

Edit:

Originally posted by: PhoenixOrion
TMBJs Syndrome

Fixed

 

[slackerinabox]

Originally posted by: HN
mouth ulcers.
gas (from sorbitol in sugarless gum)

I was wondering why my stomach was feeling funny, had no idea sorbitol causes gass - you're a smart guy, glad I asked!

 

[intogamer]

The side of my head kinda hurts when I chew too long

 

[SoftwareEng]

ask your dentist/oral specialist... i don't get why ppl ask important health questions online.

 

[Mo0o]

My dentist tells me chewing too much gum is bad for the joints on your jaw

 

[pyonir]

Originally posted by: SoftwareEng
ask your dentist/oral specialist... i don't get why ppl ask important health questions online.

do you have a number for this "oral specialist"? i'd like to look into that further.

 

[slackerinabox]

Originally posted by: SoftwareEng
ask your dentist/oral specialist... i don't get why ppl ask important health questions online.

it's not really that important of a question - i'm just curious. i'm sure chewing gum is better than smoking, just wonder if there's something i should think about.

 

[clickynext]

8 packs a day! Wow! Good job on quitting, by the way.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Maybe instead of gum you could switch to some other oral fixation. (not that you pervs!)

Switch to sugarless breath mints. Life Savers, Breath Savers, gummie bears, jolly ranchers... (OK, those aren't sugarless, sue me)

Or you could alternate back and forth.

 

[PHiuR]

go back to cigarettes...





not.

 

[Mutilator]

What kind of gum are you chewing? Some gum gets hard after extended chewing that makes your jaw hurt. Original Orbit does not. I've chewed 2 pieces of that for over 8 hours multiple times in the last year with no ill effects.

 

[Savij]

http://www.chemistry.org/portal/a/c/s/1...rriculum%5Cchemmatters%5Cgum_1200.html

Sugar-free gum may actually pose more potential problems if not chewed in moderation. Sugar-free gums contain hexitols, sorbitol, and mannitol as sugar substitutes. The ingestion of these substances can cause diarrhea, because they are not absorbed but instead pass into the small intestine and colon. It takes only about 10 grams of sorbitol to produce this effect in many individuals. One flight attendant, who had been experiencing abdominal pain and diarrhea for more than seven years, was given a wide range of diagnostic tests to no avail. It turned out that she had been consuming about 60 sticks of sugar-free chewing gum a day, representing about 75 grams of sorbitol. When she stopped chewing gum, her symptoms disappeared.

 

[pontifex]

i've been cheweing gum at 2-3 times a day for the past several years and have never had a problem.

usually chew a piece in the morning on the way to work, after lunch, and on the way home from work.


edit: just read about the sugarless gum (thats what I chew, Orbit). maybe thats why i always seem to have gas.

 

[ManyBeers]

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
I quit smoking 3 days ago and have been chewing maybe 8 packs of gum a day. I was a chain smoker and now I'm a chain chewer... My jaw is sore but are there any other side effects - perhaps too much sugar free gum could lead to something nasty? Migraines, maybe? Any one know of another good distraction technique for former smokers.. Biting myself stopped being fun.

You are trying to use gum as a substitute for cigarettes. There is NO substitute for a cig. Face it.

 

[Juno]

Originally posted by: PHiuR
go back to cigarettes...





not.

so evil.

 

[jdini76]

carry around a bag of carrot sticks and eat when ever you feel the urge to smoke. But I don't think Gum would have any major ill-effects.

 

[djheater]

Originally posted by: Savij
http://www.chemistry.org/portal/a/c/s/1...rriculum%5Cchemmatters%5Cgum_1200.html

Sugar-free gum may actually pose more potential problems if not chewed in moderation. Sugar-free gums contain hexitols, sorbitol, and mannitol as sugar substitutes. The ingestion of these substances can cause diarrhea, because they are not absorbed but instead pass into the small intestine and colon. It takes only about 10 grams of sorbitol to produce this effect in many individuals. One flight attendant, who had been experiencing abdominal pain and diarrhea for more than seven years, was given a wide range of diagnostic tests to no avail. It turned out that she had been consuming about 60 sticks of sugar-free chewing gum a day, representing about 75 grams of sorbitol. When she stopped chewing gum, her symptoms disappeared.

Isn't it amazing that people can be so caught up in their own behavior patterns that they fail to notice substantial disconnects from normalcy?
How can someone who chew 60 sticks of gum consider that normal behavior. How can they not consider modifying their behaviors (e.g. changing eating habits) to try and affect their symptoms.

I'm trying to picture having diarrhea for 7 years... That's gotta negatively impact the seals and o-rings.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Stop masticating so frequently and your jaw won't be sore.

 

[5to1baby1in5]

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212

Originally posted by: SoftwareEng
ask your dentist/oral specialist... i don't get why ppl ask important health questions online.

it's not really that important of a question - i'm just curious. i'm sure chewing gum is better than smoking, just wonder if there's something i should think about.

I heard about a stop-smoking therapy where they shock you inside the ear, and it reduces the urge to smoke. You could probably do it yourself with a lamp chord...

Chewing gum will eventually start wearing down your jaw joint. Also grinding your teeth is bad for your jaw too.

 

[nakedfrog]

Gum chewing's fine when it's once in a while
It stops you from smoking and brightens your smile
But it's repulsive, revolting and wrong
Chewing and chewing
All day long
The way that a cow does

 

[Mashed Potato]

Originally posted by: hypn0tik
It's not the gum....

Edit:

Originally posted by: PhoenixOrion
TMBJs Syndrome

Fixed

My first thought exactly. Chewing gum aaaand...... Chewing gum aaaand.... chewing gum aaaand, S'n the D.

(supertroopers anyone?)