Gum Chewing

[NinetyNine]

What's everyone's opinions on chewing gum while on the job?

Just curious because I love to chew gum but I feel as though no one in my hospital does it.

[StNeotser, ASN, RN]

I chew discreetly, most of the time it is cheeked. If we are about to have an inspection we cannot have water bottles anywhere, at the station in the med room, absolutely nowhere.

I can't be alone in having a bit of stinky breath when I haven't eaten or had access to water for a few hours. Sometimes I use altoids and I am not consistently using the gum nor cracking it. I do think that people are finding the most innocuous habit in their coworkers to get mad about. How about texting, going off on smoke breaks, being late from breaks, loud behaviour?

[vivacious1healer]

Seriously, this is a big issue for people? geez!

[Katie5]

I chew gum.

I take medication that makes my mouth very dry. I cannot suck on hard candies for various reasons. We can no longer drink water on shift unless we are on break (and we all know how few breaks nurses get). If I don't chew gum my mouth is so dry I literally cannot talk. My lips and tongue stick to my teeth. It is a horrible feeling.

Why is this?

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

Why is this?

I'm guessing dehydration??

steph

[tewdles, RN]

dry mouth/mucous membranes is a side effect of some medications which may have no relationship to hydration

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

besides being unprofessional, gum chewing is gross, disgusting, and revolting.

my fourth grade teacher posted this on the bulletin board:

a gum chewing student

and a cud chewing cow

are somewhat alike

yet different somehow

the difference escapes me

i remember it now

the intelligent look on the face of the cow

kathy

shar pei mom:paw::paw:

i just printed this out with a cute cow graphic and put it on my bulletin board! thanks for sharing it!

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

dry mouth/mucous membranes is a side effect of some medications which may have no relationship to hydration

(We have an ALS patient who is having trouble with secretions - scopolamine patches are working pretty well. )

steph (from work where I'm chewing gum)

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

I just printed this out with a cute cow graphic and put it on my bulletin board! Thanks for sharing it!

Kathy and I must have gone to school during the same era . . . . I definitely remember this!

steph

[leslie :-D]

dry mouth/mucous membranes is a side effect of some medications which may have no relationship to hydration

exactly.

besides, unionrn said in her 1st statement, that she takes meds that make her mouth dry.

so no, no relationship to hydration.

leslie

[GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

As long as it is cheeked and you aren't actively CHEWING it in a room, so what? I think it beats bad breath. I am not a gum chewer, but would think nothing of cheeking a piece if I had some nasty breath. Not something to worry about imo!

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

exactly.

besides, unionrn said in her 1st statement, that she takes meds that make her mouth dry.

so no, no relationship to hydration.

leslie

Ah . . always so much more observant on posters names than me! Thanks! :)

steph

[Melanie19877]

I think it really depends on the area of the hospital you're in. If you're not working in a sterile or invasive environment. Go ahead. Just don't let everyone know you have it.