# How long do you chew a stick of gum? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 4, 2006, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-chew-a-stick-of-gum/382838 "2006-12-04T18:31:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![The\_Controvert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dec6dc/32.png) [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2006, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-chew-a-stick-of-gum/382838/1 "2006-12-04T18:31:47Z")
I chew the heck out of it… at least an hour. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2006, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-chew-a-stick-of-gum/382838/2 "2006-12-04T18:33:56Z")
I chew it until they move this thread to MSPIMS. Actually, I chew it until I notice that it’s missing…_something_. It might be texture, it might be flavor, it might be something else, but that’s usually when I spit. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2006, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-chew-a-stick-of-gum/382838/3 "2006-12-04T18:34:04Z")
It varies- I can chew it for a long time or after a few minutes want to spit it out. Either way though, as soon as I cross the line I need to spit it out NOW- it just seems revolting in my mouth. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2006, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-chew-a-stick-of-gum/382838/4 "2006-12-04T18:49:04Z")
Not very long. Once it’s done its job (to clean the gunk off my teeth or freshen my breath or whatever), I’ll spit it out. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2006, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-chew-a-stick-of-gum/382838/5 "2006-12-04T20:03:18Z")
If I chew too long, it starts to make me hungry. So I chew for a short time, long enough to clear my breath. But if I am chewing because I am orally fixated at the time, I chew it until it has no flavor left, blow a few bubbles, and then toss it. ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2006, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-chew-a-stick-of-gum/382838/6 "2006-12-04T20:21:18Z")
Until the flavor goes away…after that it just feel gross in my mouth. So, only a couple of minutes. ---
**Author:** ![UKCatGirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/a88e57/32.png) [@UKCatGirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UKCatGirl)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2006, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-chew-a-stick-of-gum/382838/7 "2006-12-04T23:05:58Z")
A very long time, because I usually forget it’s there. There have been a couple of times where the gum has actually started to break apart in my mouth. I’d say about 4 hours is common for me. And now everyone can proceed to tell me I’m gross. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![UKCatGirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/a88e57/32.png) [@UKCatGirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UKCatGirl)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2006, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-chew-a-stick-of-gum/382838/8 "2006-12-04T23:05:50Z")
A very long time, because I usually forget it’s there. There have been a couple of times where the gum has actually started to break apart in my mouth. I’d say about 4 hours is common for me. And now everyone can procedd to tell me I’m gross. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Caridwen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c89c15/32.png) [@Caridwen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caridwen)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2006, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-chew-a-stick-of-gum/382838/9 "2006-12-04T23:11:52Z")
Maybe 1/2 an hour or until my jaw is sore. Then I swallow it. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2006, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-chew-a-stick-of-gum/382838/10 "2006-12-04T23:14:01Z")
I’m the same way, **UKCatGirl**. I’ll chew until I have to eat, or until it’s bedtime. I’m not always chomping away, but it’ll be sitting in my mouth, often tucked in my cheek (a trick I learning in high school theater) until I remember it’s there. I can even, uh, y’know…with a guy…orally, without losing my gum. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-chew-a-stick-of-gum/382838/11 "2006-12-05T00:16:28Z")
[QUOTE=WhyNot] I’m the same way, **UKCatGirl**. I’ll chew until I have to eat, or until it’s bedtime. I’m not always chomping away, but it’ll be sitting in my mouth, often tucked in my cheek (a trick I learning in high school theater) until I remember it’s there. I can even, uh, y’know…with a guy…orally, without losing my gum. :eek: [/QUOTE] I love you. You’re sooooo talented. ---
**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Chitwood)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-chew-a-stick-of-gum/382838/12 "2006-12-05T00:30:05Z")
Like 40 seconds, and then I eat it. I’m not so mature. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-chew-a-stick-of-gum/382838/13 "2006-12-05T02:32:01Z")
A stick of gum? Less than a couple seconds, after that it’s a wad of gum. Ba-da-bump. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-chew-a-stick-of-gum/382838/14 "2006-12-05T03:07:17Z")
I’m not trying to threadshit here, I’m trying to stay light hearted about this, but I think that chewing gum is the most disgusting habit that a person can have. As a utility breath freshener, fine. As a reason to non stop masticate for hours on end, I’m sorry but chewing tobacco is more attractive to me. I know I have a “chewing thing”, but I can’t help it. Gum is gross. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Tonya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/4491bb/32.png) [@Queen\_Tonya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Tonya)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-chew-a-stick-of-gum/382838/15 "2006-12-05T03:35:19Z")
I prefer chewing the square kind with the minty shell like [this](http://www.cadbury.gr/NR/rdonlyres/C63A9D66-58A4-49A5-A8A7-A8DB6003118A/0/peppermint_340.jpg) since it stays chewable longer than mere sticks. I’m habitual, often chewing one piece for 2-3 hours, then adding a second piece to freshen the first one. ---
**Author:** ![Caridwen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c89c15/32.png) [@Caridwen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caridwen)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-chew-a-stick-of-gum/382838/16 "2006-12-05T18:15:46Z")
I don’t understand why people don’t just swallow the damn gum instead of sticking it some place or throwing it on the ground. My dog was limping the other day after a walk and I looked at her paw and she had a big wad of gum on her paw. Gross. Swallow it. It won’t kill you and it’s not harmful. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-chew-a-stick-of-gum/382838/17 "2006-12-05T20:13:24Z")
How did this turn into a “spit or swallow?” thread? ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-chew-a-stick-of-gum/382838/18 "2006-12-05T21:12:14Z")
Months - but for only a few mins at a time 🙂 I haven’t chewed a stick of gum in years, but I will pop in a piece of Orbit or Trident or whatever (the small blocks) from time to time when I’m in my car. But I can only chew for a few minutes before my jaw fails (TMJD) so I put it on the dash until I need it again. That stuff stays amazingly potent for a long time, and it leaves the car with a nice spearminty scent! ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-chew-a-stick-of-gum/382838/19 "2006-12-05T23:08:52Z")
[QUOTE=Thudlow Boink] How did this turn into a “spit or swallow?” thread? [/QUOTE] That was probably my fault. 😃 (For the record - swallow.) Gum! Of course I’m talking about gum. Perverts. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-chew-a-stick-of-gum/382838/20 "2006-12-05T23:14:40Z")
Until the flavor’s gone. Or until I think my breath is fresh enough. Or until I answer the phone or need to speak to someone other than chit chat. Then I spit it into a piece of paper and throw it into the trash. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-you-chew-a-stick-of-gum/382838.md?page=2)