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Getting Addicted to Gum?

Discussion in 'Other Substances' started by GenevB, May 10, 2015.

  1. Coolkidhere

    Coolkidhere Community Champion

    I don't really like chewing gum. Once the taste of the gum wear off, I throw it out. But I guess if you consume about two packs a day, you also don't like it when the gum has no taste already. I know some people like to chew gum for hours even without its taste anymore.

    Anyway, there are bad side effects to chewing gum and I hope this helps you get rid of the habit. One is that it is full of sugar, essentially it can have bad effects on your teeth. Even the sugar free ones! It can cause dental erosion or cavities. Then, it makes you take more gas. Which can lead to GIT problems. Another one is that it can cause TMJ due to overuse of muscles.

    Good luck! I hope you get rid of the habit/addiction!
  2. zaerine

    zaerine Community Champion

    That reminds of the time when I was younger and got hooked with bubble gums. :)
    I would save all my money and then spend it all on gums. I really liked those with colors or make my tongue and lips with colors and also create bubbles. I got decayed teeth and toothaches before because of that.
  3. Nergaahl

    Nergaahl Community Champion

    After I quit smoking, I was kinda obsessed of brushing my teeth and getting rid of that rotten smell I had in my mouth. I was doing it around 10 times a day, and was always paranoid that my breath smelled awful. Luckily, somebody kissed me during that period and told me that they loved it, and that helped me calm down a bit. Huh, what a plot twist!
  4. Tremmie

    Tremmie Community Champion

    i guess you could say my mom kind of addicted to chewing gum, she had to quit because she started to develop TMJ symptoms. So yes, addiction to chewing gum can be really bad. If the person doesn't stop when they start to show symptoms then further damage is a sure thing. I had to stop biting my nails for the same reason too, the pain was becoming unbearable. Seriously, my jaw joint was killing me!
  5. ReadmeByAmy

    ReadmeByAmy Community Champion

    This is absolutely right that it is more of bad habit to considered rather than calling it as a form of addiction.
  6. loverman99

    loverman99 Member

    Well, to me is more of a habit thing. Usually, it's just a habit. For most people, at least. However, maybe some really rare cases do exist. If I find anything on this topic, I'd definitely post it here right away. It seems to be quiet interesting.
  7. kgord

    kgord Community Champion

    I enjoy gum chewing and for me it releases anxiety. I think studies have shown it can be a mild anti depressant, in that it is relaxing. It may help you focus better as well. The only down side is that it can be bad for your teeth, and some don't like the way it looks...or if you are popping your gum...it can get on people's nerves..gum like anything can be addicting for sure.
  8. endoftherainbow

    endoftherainbow Active Contributor

    It may have something to do with the aspartame or other additives to the gum which have an effect upon how you crave it or want to chew it. It may be best to try out different types of gum that you aren't getting that same feeling from when you chew the one you normally do, or to try and go without it gradually to see what it was about it you wanted. If it wasn't to chew the gum, then there was something in the gum more than likely.
  9. Adrianna

    Adrianna Community Champion

    Gum has quite a few nasty things in it. If you are going to chew pick a brand that is free of these things like aspartame, dextrose, and sucrose. Some of which rot your teeth and gums. Spry is a good brand. It is expensive though.
  10. bleblanc10

    bleblanc10 Senior Contributor

    I know a lot of people who quit cigarettes and got addicted to nicotine gum which kind of makes sense, but I have never heard of somebody being addicted to regular gum.
  11. Tsky45

    Tsky45 Community Champion

    I've never heard of anybody being that addicted to gum. Chewing gum all the time is bad for your digestive system, at least that's what I heard. I really can't think of a reason that you would be addicted to gum, but could smoke a whole pack of cigarettes in one day. Maybe you should work on quitting everything and go without it for a month.
  12. johnyork

    johnyork Active Contributor

    I generally recommend that you shouldn't chew gum or if you do use gum, use it very rarely or right before a meal when the acid and enzyme stimulation may actually be beneficial. If you'd like to give up gum chewing but are finding it difficult, consider why you're doing it.
  13. SashaS

    SashaS Community Champion

    I once bought a gumball machine and a massive packet of gum to go with it. I would eat 10 gumballs or more every day for weeks. My mouth became sore and tired and I eventually realized it had to stop. I never thought one could get addicted to such a thing. It also made all my food taste different which was enough to put me off - I love my food when it tastes like it should!
  14. JerPostr98

    JerPostr98 Member

    I've heard of this type of addiction before. Although I am not sure if I would call it an addiction... I agree with other users when they use the term "bad habit". My mother used to chew gum constantly until she came to the realization she was unable to do without it. Luckily it's not too unhealthy for you, but can be bad over time due to things such as sugar and aspartame. I would start by finding a brand of gum that is a little healthier or aspartame free. Then slowly try to exclude it from your daily routine. Good luck!
  15. Min

    Min Active Contributor

    I think anything that you're unable to stop doing is an addiction. Even a bad habit can become an addiction, so while I do agree that it's a distinction - if you're really not able to stop yourself then it's definitely something that you've become addicted to. If you find yourself getting flustered, thinking about gum, having to have it ... distracted by the thought of it, then it's and addiction.
  16. blenly

    blenly Member

    I used to be so self-conscious of bad breath that I would constantly be chewing the strongest gum I could find. It became something that I couldn't go without.

    It turns out that after quitting smoking both the feeling and self-consciousness of having bad breath have left me and it has also alleviated my desire to constantly chew gum. I still really like gum but I am not chewing it nearly as much as before.
  17. explorerx7

    explorerx7 Senior Contributor

    I wouldn't view it as an addiction, it's more like a bad habit, but habits can be very difficult to break. This is a habit that could possibly ruin your teeth because of the sugar content, I urge you to exercise some resolve and determination in seeking to rid yourself of this habit.
  18. morgoodie

    morgoodie Senior Contributor

    I have never known someone to be addicted to gum other than the gums to help you stop smoking. I think if it is an addiction then it probably is one that does the least harm to you. As long as you are chewing a sugarless gum. Chewing gum can help some people to not eat as much since the chewing of it releases an enzyme in your saliva and takes away your hunger. I think that is what I have read before. Sometimes, it is hard to tell when something crosses over into addiction.
  19. JohnBeaulieu

    JohnBeaulieu Community Champion

    Where? Could you link a study please? I don't think there is a such thing as a gum addiction. To my knowledge chewing gum doesn't contain any substances proven or shown to be addictive.
  20. innaf39

    innaf39 Member

    Yes, totally. My mum was addicted to lip balm.

    Not just the habit itself, like putting on lip balm but also her mouth became addicted to the chemicals in it and was always dry and cracked when she didn't use one.
    Also it became some kind of tick of hers, always playing with the balm and putting it on.