
All kinds of hard candies, gummies, lollipops, or chewing gum are loved by many children. Among them, chewing gum is highly adhesive, and children often swallow it accidentally, causing parents to worry about whether swallowing chewing gum is harmful. Let’s explore this with AVAKids!
Chewing gum, or singum, is a soft candy that can be chewed but not swallowed. This type of candy is made from chicle or petroleum-based polymers. Today’s chewing gum comes in a variety of shapes, colors, sizes, and flavors such as bubble gum, sugar-free gum, stick gum, etc.
Ingredients of Chewing Gum

There are two types of chewing gum: sugar-free and sugared. The main ingredients of chewing gum are gum base and sugar. Besides that, chewing gum also contains other coloring and flavoring agents, and xylitol. The coloring, flavoring, and other ingredients vary depending on the brand.
The gum base in chewing gum is usually made from elastomers, beeswax, or resin. In addition, the gum base also contains fat and emulsified milk.

Lotte Xylitol Peppermint Chewing Gum Jar 58g (18 – 30 years old)
Consequences of Accidentally Swallowing Chewing Gum
Chewing gum has a completely different composition and structure than other foods, so it will not be digested normally. If you accidentally swallow chewing gum, the digestive process will take place as follows:
- First, the organs in the digestive system will treat it like other foods by secreting digestive juices to break down the components in the chewing gum, such as sweeteners, softeners, and flavorings.
- Next, the remaining gum will be pushed through the digestive system by the natural pushing action of the intestines and eliminated from the body through the excretory system.
Chewing gum can be completely digested and eliminated from the body after a few days. Usually, it takes longer for chewing gum to be digested compared to other foods. Therefore, after about 2-3 days, the remnants of the gum will be expelled when you go to the bathroom.
However, swallowing large amounts of chewing gum or gum residue can lead to uncomfortable symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, and headaches. If the condition worsens, take the child to the hospital immediately.
When choosing chewing gum for children, prioritize sugar-free products containing xylitol to protect their teeth and prevent cavities.

Hubba Bubba Original Flavor Chewing Gum Box 56g (from 3 years old)
How to Handle and Precautions When a Child Swallows Chewing Gum

Is it dangerous for children to swallow chewing gum? Can it cause intestinal blockage?
Insoluble substances will be eliminated within 40 hours. Therefore, if a child swallows chewing gum, parents should not worry too much. However, swallowing a large amount of chewing gum can cause blockage of the digestive tract, especially if the child is constipated.
Parents should educate and warn children under 5 years old not to chew gum. The reason is that at this age, children are often not aware of and cannot control chewing and swallowing gum. Moreover, in addition to the risk of intestinal blockage, children can also choke if they swallow too much chewing gum.

Lotte Xylitol Peppermint and Lemon Flavored Chewing Gum Jar 58g (from 4 years old)
How to handle it when a child swallows chewing gum
Knowing that chewing gum will be eliminated, however, if a child swallows it, mothers should also note the following handling methods:
- Chewing gum is difficult to digest, so when swallowed, avoid giving your child more indigestible foods as it can cause bloating, making the stomach work harder, and even causing intestinal blockage.
- Give your child soft foods, especially green vegetables that are high in fiber, and have them drink plenty of water.
- During this time, prioritize giving your child porridge to help their stomach digest more easily.
- For children who are often constipated, add papaya and bananas to their daily diet.
- Pay attention to the child’s bowel movements. If after 3 days the child has not had a bowel movement, the amount of chewing gum swallowed may be more than you think and cause intestinal blockage. At this time, quickly take the child to the doctor for timely treatment.
- If the child complains of stomach pain, cannot have a bowel movement, or cannot pass gas, take them to the hospital for an early check-up.
- Do not give chewing gum to very young children. Instill this thought in the child, and only when they reach the age where they can control chewing and swallowing gum can you let them use it.

Achaki Instant Porridge with Beef, Carrot and Potato Flavor 72g pack (from 1 year old)
Precautions when giving children chewing gum
Young children love chewing gum because they are attracted by the colorful candies and delicious flavors. Therefore, parents need to pay attention to the following to ensure the safety of their children.
- Prioritize choosing reputable and trusted brands of chewing gum to ensure your child’s health when using them.
- Carefully observe and monitor your child when they are chewing gum; avoid letting them swallow too much gum at once.
- You can go to large shopping malls and supermarkets to buy chewing gum. This ensures that the gum you buy is of good quality and has a clear origin.

Big Babol Natural Flavor Chewing Gum Jar 16g (from 3 years old) – Random Color
Answering Other Questions about Swallowing Chewing Gum
How long does it take for chewing gum to be eliminated?
It takes about 40 hours to several days for chewing gum to be eliminated, which is longer than food. This is because gum moves more slowly than other foods in the digestive tract. Therefore, if you accidentally swallow chewing gum, it will take quite a long time for the body to completely eliminate it.
Is swallowing chewing gum dangerous?
As mentioned above, the human body can eliminate chewing gum within about 2 days, so swallowing it is not dangerous. It is very rare for swallowing chewing gum to cause intestinal blockage. However, if a large amount of chewing gum is swallowed, especially if the person is constipated, the risk of intestinal blockage is very high.

Hubba Bubba Grape Flavored Chewing Gum Box 56g (from 3 years old)