My mouth is so dry..Can I chew gum?

readytoloselbs · 04-05-2008, 08:13 PM

I had surgery on 4/3/8 and my mouth is so dry. I am doing well with getting my liquids down but want to know if it is O.K. to chew sugarless gum? I am on a liquid diet for two weeks but there is nothing in my doctor's notes re: gum. Thanks.

wimkim91 · 04-05-2008, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by readytoloselbs

I had surgery on 4/3/8 and my mouth is so dry. I am doing well with getting my liquids down but want to know if it is O.K. to chew sugarless gum? I am on a liquid diet for two weeks but there is nothing in my doctor's notes re: gum. Thanks.

I was banded on 3-19 and gum makes me really nauseated...but that may just be me...sugar free peppermints are good!! Just be careful to not accdentally swallow it!

Long2BFree · 04-05-2008, 08:17 PM

No, do not chew gum. If you swallow it, it could mean trouble because it can get stuck.

If your mouth is dry, you might be dehydrated so drink more. You can also buy a mouth rinse that adds moisture if your mouth is dry.

readytoloselbs · 04-05-2008, 08:20 PM

Thanks for your response. I just wanted to make sure it was O.K. I am going to try the mints and chew my gum very, very slowly :>

luluc · 04-05-2008, 08:22 PM

Try sugar free ice pops - I had a really bad sore throat after surgery & I think I went throught a box of 24 in 5 days. Sounds weird - but I also filled ice cube trays w/OJ - Crytal Lite Lemondae - Gatorade Blue Ice...but you can fill with whatever your taste is - set the cubes in a glass and let them melt to a slushy.
Hope your feeling better soon!!!

readytoloselbs · 04-05-2008, 08:23 PM

I guess you may be right about swallowing the gum. I have done that in the past. I will stick with the mints and drink some more water. The last thing I need is to get the gum stuck the first week after surgery. Thanks.

hope2bhealthy · 04-06-2008, 09:21 AM

i'm pretty sure gum is on my doctor's list of things to give up forever, so there must be a good reason not to chew it. i'm not a gum person, so no prob for me. but, oh, the straws!!....

Bunkey1965 · 04-07-2008, 10:53 AM

I was told no gum because you get too much air sucked in. I am also paranoid to get anything stuck if I accidently swallowed it. I have childrens gummie vitamins I suck on but I keep it anchored between my cheek and gum and slowly let it dissolve. When it starts to get smaller and slippery I spit it out.

p3photogal · 04-07-2008, 01:43 PM

sugar free lifesavers, sugar free jolly ranchers, not to a huge extent because they have sugar alcohols but they will be great on your dry mouth. Make sure you are taking in your water and clear liquids first though! dry mouth is a big sign of dehydration.

p3photogal · 04-07-2008, 01:45 PM

oh and it's also a reaction to anesthesia! i had to carry ice chips with me on my walks in the hospital because i felt like i was foaming at the mouth!

Jazzywoman · 04-07-2008, 05:47 PM

I was told not to chew gum just because of the possibility of swallowing it. But if I could chew and not swallow it was ok.

I chew gum after dinner because I had been used to having something sweet. Chewing gum gives me that sweet taste with no calories.

Chew with care!