Chewing Gum

[BraceFace2o1o]

I rarely chew gum, but when I do it's to freshen my breath when I am out and unable to brush after eating/drinking etc. And when I do chew the gum, I do it with my mouth shut and most people are totally unaware I even have gum in my mouth... I am very discreet about it.

I don't mind others chewing gum, that's totally their choice... but the CHEWING in your ear with their mouth open and making smacking noises can be a little annoying .

[vak103]

When a person pops the gum with their teeth....now that's just plain rude. Just chewing with their mouth closed, I can handle.

[jadore714]

I think chewing like a normal human being is fine, in public or private.

The chomping is what I have a problem with, when each chew seems to require the mouth to open and close with the lips apart...like a masticating cow. It's just so gross and rude. If you're discreet about it, I don't see the problem unless you're chewing gum during some sort of public speaking (speech, presentation, etc.)

[2inlove04]

Thanks catgyrl,

For your reply..... Have you tried the "Strawberry Shortcake" by wriggleys. Its very good....During Halloween, Sams Store were giving out candy with regular bubble gum, and I was chewing it and what a mess. It started sticking to my braces. I immediately spit it out. I'm waiting on the new "Key Lime Pie" flavor.

Regards,

vak103

I'm on a weight loss journey while waiting to be braced and I just picked up the new strawberry shortcake and saw the keylime pie flavor and allllmost got it but then said naaah I'm a strawberry lover and like key lime pie but was partial due to it being too sweet... Let me know how it tastes if you've tried it or when you do...

[Flaka]

Please is just gum...how low life can that be? kids chew it all the time. If you like it, cool and if not, good for you.

[RedDress]

Please is just gum...how low life can that be? kids chew it all the time. If you like it, cool and if not, good for you.

So, your point is that the manners that are ok for kids is also ok for adults?
You can say whatever you like about it off course, but honestly, a am sure you understand that it is not ok to talk with a gum in your mouth to your boss or a customer. If you do not understand that, then at some point in your life you probably will have to.

[Flaka]

Chewing gum has nothing to do with manners. You can have bad manners and not chew gum at all. I think the original post was about people in braces chewing gum and its pros or cons if any. If a person is chewing gum or food with their mouth open, obviously is not a sign of good manners. All I am trying to say is that I think saying that chewing gum is low life is a bit extreme and a generalization but if that is what you think, I respect it. Everybody has their own opinions.

[ashesgap]

Every time this post gets brought back to the top it irks me. There was no reason for anyone to come in and call gum chewers low lifes. That was completely rude when the post was meant for people who enjoy gum. If you don't like gum, don't comment on a post about gum.

[catgyrl]

Every time this post gets brought back to the top it irks me. There was no reason for anyone to come in and call gum chewers low lifes. That was completely rude when the post was meant for people who enjoy gum. If you don't like gum, don't comment on a post about gum.

THANK YOU, ashesgap! I thought that comment was rude, too. I know we have freedom of speech here, but those types of comments just aren't necessary.

[ShySmile]

Before braces i was a maniac with gum, now i rarely even miss it. Since not chewing gum my jaw pain has improved 90%!!!

[BraceFace2o1o]

For anyone in the UK who chews gum while in braces, what one do you buy? and does it stick to your braces?

I chewed some earlier before I saw my Ortho just to freshen my mouth a bit, but it got stuck to my molar bands! I was worrying he'd see bits of chewing gum stuck and be like "tut tut!".

[Tasha Fierce]

Both of my orthodontists (I moved halfway through treatment and had to get a new ortho) have recommended chewing gum after an adjustment. It really does help ease the pain and soreness. I also like to pop a piece of gum in after I have coffee if I don't have the time/privacy to brush. It helps prevent staining, though as others have posted, I recommend sugar-free as well. As far as gum chewing and bad manners, I'm not sure why topic was brought up on this forum, I don't think that was the poster's intentions. I would never consider someone a low-life for chewing gum, I agree that that is taking it a bit far. Also we have to keep in mind that chewing gum after an adjustment is tough! Sometimes a person has to chew with their mouth open initially because it hurts so bad. Oh and speaking from past experience, never, under any circumstances, chew 2 pieces of Big Red right after an adjustment. Your mouth will burn like crazy !

[RedDress]

Sometimes a person has to chew with their mouth open initially because it hurts so bad. Oh and speaking from past experience, never, under any circumstances, chew 2 pieces of Big Red right after an adjustment. Your mouth will burn like crazy !

Oh, I see now. I took an exam the other day and it was sooo nice listening next to my ears how the TA (!) who proctored the exam was smacking his lips chewing a gum. As far as I know he had braces taken off abt 6 years ago. I did not know it is still hurt !
I took a course in another department this semester. Had to deal with a different kind of public than in mine. I would not call it exactly low life but definitely not burdened with manners. So, I had to listen to this chewing gum sounds all through the lecture from left and right and did not even know which side to turn to first and ask to reduce the noise.
Ahhh, and it is also so nice to listen how the saliva circulates in their mouth even when they keep it closed. I actually do not care if someone choses to behave like that, like I said - some people pick their skin, bite their nails and so on. And having same kind of behavior around them - they see nothing wrong with it. Heh, I liked one guy's saying "The market will correct it".

But I hate it when I have to sit and listen to it.
Now I would NOT have posted this reply unless you people keep bringing that up. But you keep commenting it, so here is what I think.
Actually in case a woman chews a gum in such a way that you can notice it I think it even looks worse.
If she is under 16 - it can pass for a childishness, if she is over and she chews in such a way that you can see her chewing - then it looks vulgar not to say insecure.

[ashesgap]

[goin4it]

OK, so conceding that some people's gum chewing etiquette is poor at best, and that they should not be chewing gum at all, perhaps we should move on.....

Does anyone have any recommendations of brand or flavour for those who may still want to chew it discreetly to reduce some of the discomfort with their braces?