Should My Toddler Chew Gum?
There is no reason for toddlers to chew gum. While your toddler’s body is growing it is important to provide lots of opportunities for them to eat nutritious foods. Pediatric dentist, Dr. Cameron Fuller suggests, “Fruits, vegetables and healthy snacks are a better alternative to a stick of gum loaded with sugar.” Fruits and vegetables help remove food that may become stuck to the teeth, by creating extra saliva to rinse away food. Also gum is a choking hazard for young toddlers. Young children who are unable to understand the concept of gum may swallow it, and it can become lodged in their throat depending on the size of the piece. They may not know or understand what purpose gum serves, leading them to repeatedly swallow gum, which can cause stomach issues, gas or jaw problems. The part of gum that makes it sticky is not digestible. If a child is chewing gum and swallows too much of it, it will remain in the digestive tract and can cause childr...