Chewing gum is a good alternative to sweets, especially when it comes to tooth-friendly chewing gum. Many children, but also some adults, tend to swallow chewing gum by accident or on purpose. What happens to the chewing gum in the stomach and is it harmful?

 

 

Although chewing gum is not intended to be swallowed, as it cannot be digested, it is generally not harmful if swallowed. 

If chewing gum is swallowed, it cannot be broken down in the stomach or intestines and is excreted undigested in the faeces. 

 

However, children should be discouraged from swallowing chewing gum if possible, as in rare cases swallowed chewing gum can cause constipation or block the bowel.