Some Strange And Fun Facts On Chewing Gum
Chewing gum happens to be one of the oldest forms of candy. There was a time when kids were not allowed to chew it but now it is offered to them as a reward. Probably, because now people know that it also has some health benefits. Some orthodontists might suggest chewing gum right after a meal as it tends to help in the stimulation of salivary flow. Plus some chewing gums also contain fluoride which is quite helpful for our teeth. It is also responsible for the inhibition of bacteria that causes tooth decay which explains why the cosmetic dentists are ever ready to promote it.
Chewing gum is not just a fascinating part of a kid’s world. Many adults also use it as a mouth freshener. To tell you the truth, this longing for chewing gum is not recent. The pre-historic civilizations were also big fans of gum, and this has been proven by the existence of such a substance in the teeth of skeletons believed to belong to ancient people. Although it is not the one we chew today, it was made from the same resinous substance derived from plants.
The fact that chewing gum can be traced back centuries is quite interesting, however, there are many other interesting facts associated with this substance. To get a full version read on for more interesting facts about chewing gum.
• Can you believe the oldest piece of a chewing stick is almost 9000 years old?
• Another strange myth about chewing gum is the ancient belief that it remains in the stomach for up to seven years. Well, that is quite a long time to be in your stomach.
• At first, even doctors used to believe that the swallowing of gum can be harmful as this substance can potentially stick the intestines together. With time, this fear proved to be pointless.
• It might also interest you to know that chewing gum is suggested to people with dental problems because it is responsible for strengthening the teeth and gums.
• Besides, if you chew it continuously while peeling onions, it will prevent tears to come into your eyes. There is no explanation for this as yet, but it is surely a valuable tip.
• The biggest problem with gum occurs when it gets stuck in your hair accidentally. If that happens, it is almost impossible to get it out. The only solution is to cut your hair. But when it has dried, peanuts can be used successfully to get rid of it.
• Besides chewing, it is also fun to blow bubbles. The largest bubble blown in known to be 23 inches in diameter. This was attempted by Susan Montgomery of California in 19th July 1994.
• Another famous incident occurred in 1944 when a person lost most of his teeth after gum strangely exploded in his mouth.
Initially, gum was made from resin extracted from plants, but the bubbles that we chew and blow today are mainly derived from synthetic materials. There are some thousand varieties that are manufactured and sold throughout the world.