Gum Chewing

SmilingBluEyes · Feb 6, 2010

My opinion? YUCK and UNprofessional. I will pop a tic tac in my mouth or brush my teeth if my breath is getting bad. I don't chew gum when working with patients. It looks horrible.

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Feb 6, 2010

No way.
You mean you aren't allowed to have drinks at the desk, right?
They can't keep you from drinking water on your shift.
Sorry. This is supposed to be about GUM.

Since the last hospital I worked at had a policy of no eating or drinking (including water) at the desk I have gone to occupational health every time I start a new job with a prescription for H2O. Gotta have it for medical reasons (being human!) and they have been OK with it every time. I also mention it in the interview...must have water (not food, not soda, just water) and managers have reacted positively.

allnurses Guide · Feb 6, 2010

Since the last hospital I worked at had a policy of no eating or drinking (including water) at the desk I have gone to occupational health every time I start a new job with a prescription for H2O. Gotta have it for medical reasons (being human!) and they have been OK with it every time. I also mention it in the interview...must have water (not food, not soda, just water) and managers have reacted positively.

What a great idea!!

steph

lamazeteacher · Feb 6, 2010

Give me a break, a study involving 40 people without an indication of their backgrounds in regard to habitual use of stress relief? No double blind study?

This isn't worth any credibility! It's anecdotal.

Here is the Medical News Today reference,

In the 40-person study of gum chewers averaging an age of 22 years old, performed on the Defined Intensity Stressor Simulation (DISS), a multi-tasking platform which reliably induces stress and also includes performance measures, while chewing and not chewing gum. Anxiety, alertness and stress levels were measured before and after participants completed the DISS.

Relieved Anxiety: When chewing gum, participants reported lower levels of anxiety.
Gum chewers showed a reduction in anxiety as compared to non-gum chewers by nearly 17 percent during mild stress and nearly 10 percent in moderate stress.
Increased Alertness: Participants experienced greater levels of alertness when they chewed gum.
Gum chewers showed improvement in alertness over non-gum chewers by nearly 19 percent during mild stress and 8 percent in moderate stress.
Reduced Stress: Stress levels were lower in participants who chewed gum.
Levels of salivary cortisol (a physiological stress marker) in gum chewers were lower than those of non-gum chewers by 16 percent during mild stress and nearly 12 percent in moderate stress.
Improved Performance: Chewing gum resulted in a significant improvement in overall performance on multi-tasking activities. Both gum-chewers and non-chewers showed improvement from their baseline scores; however, chewing gum improved mean performance scores over non-gum chewers by 67 percent during moderate stress and 109 percent in mild stress.

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Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.

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lamazeteacher · Feb 6, 2010

Web MD's "research" involving 108 sixth graders is also not credible, and had no double blind study other than a casual reference saying:

"Gum chewing was associated with a 3% increase in standardized math scores, which Johnston terms small but still "statistically significant."

There was also a positive statement about increased alertness, to which I say, yes, when you're awake the gum stays in your mouth and less gets on the floor. Whether the alert state occurred because of the gum being chewed, wasn't conclusively proven.

SmilingBluEyes · Feb 6, 2010

I love the Rx for H2O from Oc Health!!!!

allnurses Guide · Feb 6, 2010

Erghhhh
We were taught (back when I did a physiology course which required us to perform multiple dissections of the human body) that the formaldehyde exposure (look up what that can cause for yourself if you don't already know *shudder*) from aspartame is significant so gum chewing should be minimised and also its a massive hygiene/health risk as it likes to "absorb" various chemical vapours (Including more formaldehyde) and germs... I don't know how true the absorption part of the story is but I still refuse to touch the stuff to this day! Breath mint/listerine on break XD

I'd be interested in seeing supporting data for this claim more than I would any of the others mentioned here. Because if the aspartame in gum is bad, well. . . let's just say my diet soda intake would be cause for concern. . . been drinking that stuff since it was cyclamates that were going to kill me. :eek:

chenoaspirit, ASN, RN · Feb 6, 2010

Research has found that chewing gum stimulates certain areas of the brain (as measured by EEG), which may have a relationship to reducing tension. In addition, one study conducted in 2002 showed that chewing gum appeared to improve people's ability to retain and retrieve information.

chenoaspirit, ASN, RN · Feb 6, 2010

i looked this up online....

chewing gum benefits chewing gum was the once forbidden snack for every school age child. in the year of 2005, it was named the number one snack choice by americans. new research indicates it may be good for a number of things that include:

- helping to manage weight

- to increase focus

- to increase alertness

- to increase concentration

- helps relieve life's everyday stresses

- sugar free gum can help prevent tooth decay and freshen breath

chewing gum is very easy to carry in a purse, tote bag or lunch bag. it is an inexpensive snack low in calories at about 5 to 10 calories per serving. with such low calorie count, it is a good way to munch, reduce calorie intake and avoid higher calorie snacks.

chewing gum just to freshen your breath is a thing of the past. if you can handle chewing gum daily, which i am sure you can, then you are on your way to a new confident you. previous studies have shown that chewing sugarless gum after meals can help prevent cavities by lowering acid and sugar levels in the mouth. recent studies show chewing gum can also improve one's mood.

the use of chewing gum as a delivery system vastly improves the rate of absorption of the product into the body, as compared to capsules or tablets which have to enter the digestive system before they can be absorbed into the body. it is an all-natural herbal chewing gum product that is proven safe and effective to enhance women's breast, to lose weight, easing menopausal symptoms, boost human sexual performance and to relieve stress.

chewing gum, however, is proven to have many different health benefits. scientists claim that chewing gum aids in dieting, quitting smoking, improving concentration and relieving stress.

soldiers have been given gum since wwi to both improve their concentration and reduce stress. today the military is working on different gums that can kill bacteria and replace standard oral hygiene for service men. in addition to experimenting with gum containing bacterial agents, the military also distributes caffeinated gum to help reduce drowsiness among military personnel.

dentists claim that chewing sugarless gum aids in preventing tooth decay. gum chewing promotes saliva and aids in neutralizing acids on the teeth. many dentists recommend that their patients chew sugarless gum after meals to prevent cavities.

allnurses Guide · Feb 7, 2010

Web MD's "research" involving 108 sixth graders is also not credible, and had no double blind study other than a casual reference saying:
"Gum chewing was associated with a 3% increase in standardized math scores, which Johnston terms small but still "statistically significant."
There was also a positive statement about increased alertness, to which I say, yes, when you're awake the gum stays in your mouth and less gets on the floor. Whether the alert state occurred because of the gum being chewed, wasn't conclusively proven.

I have NEVER EVER seen an adult drop their gum out of their mouth. Where the heck do you come from that this is an issue?

I don't care whether you believe a study is credible or not. I don't even care what that study says.

I know I like my gum.

I know I can chew it like an adult.

I know I can hide it or spit it out if I have to do so.

It truly is one of life's rare little pleasures that actually doesn't give you cancer or land you in jail.

Gonna get me some Fruit Stripes. Gonna chew it at work AND apply the tattoo from the wrapper!

Oooooooooooooh! I'm a baaaaaaaad girl I am!!!!!

LOL

GadgetRN71, ASN, RN · Feb 7, 2010

I'm diabetic and also suffer from constant dry mouth, so gum is a necessity for me. As an adult, however, I AM CAPABLE of chewing it without looking like a freaking cow, and without letting it FALL OUT OF MY MOUTH INTO THE WOUND OF A PATIENT.
Jesus, people.

:yeah:This reminds me of the Seinfeld episode where the Junior Mint fell into the guy's abdomen when Kramer and the gang were observing a surgery. :lol2:

I can also say that in my 12 years in the OR, as both tech and nurse, I have never seen anyone drooling or letting their gum fall into a wound.. :rolleyes:

sissiesmama, ASN, RN · Feb 7, 2010

Since the last hospital I worked at had a policy of no eating or drinking (including water) at the desk I have gone to occupational health every time I start a new job with a prescription for H2O. Gotta have it for medical reasons (being human!) and they have been OK with it every time. I also mention it in the interview...must have water (not food, not soda, just water) and managers have reacted positively.

I LOVE THAT! Great idea.

Anne, RNC