Do you chew sugar free gum? When I was younger I was never allowed to chew on chewing gum; it was coated with sugar, and my Mum worried about the choking or the mess that it would cause, so as I got older I never appreciated the positive impact that chewing gum would have, especially when it was sugar free. Chewing gum is actually fantastic for children for a number of reasons, including boosting their mental health and performance throughout the day. Here are five ways that chewing gum can be great for kids.
A healthy coping skill
As grown ups we all know that finding healthy coping skills can be difficult. We have all fallen victim to a coping skill that isn’t the best for us from time to time, which is why teaching your child to chew on gum is a great way to introduce a safe coping mechanism that will not alter their behaviour in a negative way. Indeed, an article in USA Today recommends sugar free gum as part of a ‘coping toolbox’ for children who are struggling with anxiety, so that they can grab on it whenever they sense those feelings arising. Even the Oral Health Foundation recognise the benefits of sugar free gum for more than just being great for your teeth!
Chewing helps with studying
Back when I was sitting my exams in secondary school, I learned a really neat trick – that if I chewed on gum while I was studying something, the next time I started to chew I would remember what I had been learning. This is a fantastic educational resource that I have passed down to the younger people in my life, as a means to support them when they are studying.
Boost their mental health
The more I have researched about chewing gum, the more impressed I am; in fact, a 2011 study that was conducted in Japan has been able to conclude that allowing your child to consistently chew gum is likely to reduce feelings that they might have such as fatigue, depression and even confusion. Not only is it fantastic to know that you are looking after your child’s mental health, but it gives them the best opportunity possible as they go into their education with a clear and focused mind.
Learn to self-soothe
One of the best skills that you can teach your child is how to self-soothe, and there are all kinds of ways that this can be done. Some forms of self-soothing include tapping at a variety of pressure points, or rocking slowly back and forth to calm them down. Another great way to do this, though, is to chew on some sugar free gum, because the repetitive motion is comforting and distracting from day to day anxieties.
It tastes great
Ultimately, the best reason to chew on gum is simply that it tastes great! There are all kinds of flavours available, from sweet and juicy to minty freshness, and your child might enjoy the way that some of these flavours taste. While it’s great to have our best intentions and be mindful when it comes to what we give our children, sometimes its nice just to indulge them in something that they enjoy.
Do you let your children chew on sugar free chewing gum? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Heavensa also known as Heaven’s A Dreamy Life is the digital home of Gee, a UK-based content creator and entrepreneur.