How old for gum?

[mamica]

How old was your dc before you allowed him/her to chew gum?

[brittone2]

We allowed DS some xylitol containing gum (great for on the go between meals toothcare since he had an early cavity) starting very, very early...like age 3? Our rule was if it is out of your mouth, you are all done. He handled it very, very well with basically no issues.

DD is 2.5 and I don't think she could handle gum at 3 (based on my guess of what she'll be like at 3, but who knows?). She gets a piece on occasion when big brother has some (Spry gum), but I watch her carefully or I fear it will end up in her hair, etc. kwim? She does pretty well but I wouldn't want her unattended w/ it.

Don't tell Kate from Jon and Kate plus 8 on me, okay? I remember that famous gum freak out on her part years ago when I still watched ;)

[Octobermommy]

3 for brief supervised use. Now that dd is 4 she can have gum by herself but she knows the rules. We don't take it out of our mouths except to spit it in the trash can.

[infocrazy]

We just let DS1 have it on his 4th birthday a few days ago. Of course, Grandma let him have it about a month ago...

[justlearning]

Both my 3 1/2 and 6 year-old were recently given gum at a friend's house and did fine with keeping it in their mouth and then spitting it out when done. However, I've never given them gum and don't plan on ever doing so. I chewed gum as a kid and have horrible TMJ now. Of course, you can chew gum and not get TMJ but I've been told by numerous specialists that gum chewing is very bad for the jaws so I don't see any reason to start my kids on gum.

[JBaxter]

Nathan is 5 1/2 and still isnt allowed

[KBecks]

John (our 2nd) started chewing gum sometime when he was 2.

[momof2girls]

When DD#2 was an "older" 3, a few months before she turned 4. DD#1 was closer to 5.

[MMEand1]

Neither of mine have ever had gum. They are 6 and 4.

A friend of mine lets her new 2yo DS have it. He left it all over some of our cups the last time they visited...just don't understand what the appeal of it is.

[giavila]

Dh and I don't chew gum.. I don't like it. So because it's never really been available to them both kids haven't had any yet.. (5 year old and 3 year old).

[Momof3Labs]

DS1 will be 7yo in September and has never had gum. We have no plans to introduce it; he's not real big on candy and hasn't asked for it.

[Jacksmommy2b]

J has been chewing zylitol gum since about 2.5ish. He started out with little pieces that he usually ended up swallowing but he got the gist of it pretty quickly. Now at 3 he has no problem chewing and then spitting it into a trashcan or wrapper when finished.

The only reason we gave him gum in the first place was as a zylitol suppliment. I can't imagine we would have given it to him otherwise.

[s_gosney]

My dd had some at 3 on an airplane trip and didn't really like it. She's tried it a several times since then but only wants to chew it for a couple of minutes then she's done. I think she wants to like it but doesn't really.

[Melbel]

My DS and DD1 (ages 7 and 9) just recently had their first gum for a special reward when they were asking for it. I am not a fan.

[AngelaS]

Mine were allowed to have it once they were potty trained. (yep, they could get their ears pierced AND have gum for reaching that milestone! It was that important.)

If I see it tho--it goes in the trash. That really eliminates them playing with it or taking it out of their mouths. :)

[o_mom]

Mine were introduced to it by relatives... they didn't go behind my back or anything, but they see the other kids with it and want it, didn't really have a great reason not to, etc. I don't buy it and also have the "if I see it you are done" rule when they have it. Anyway, they were 5.5 and almost 4 before they knew it exisited. DS3 is not getting any in the near future at just turned 2.

I would like to get some Xylitol gum for the times when they do want some. Anyone have suggestions on brands, where to buy, etc.?

[Jacksmommy2b]

I am a huge fan of www.epicdental.com.

The fruit flavor of the mints or gum is very similar to juicy fruit and Jack loves it. The peppermint flavor is strong - like altoids - and too much for me, I would never give it to a small kid.

They make flouride and flouride free toothpaste, both are a mild mint that Jack doesn't mind.

Use the coupon code AE25FT to get half off your first order up to $25!

[hellokitty]

Oldest DS is 5.5 and still hasn't had it. I'm kind of pissed, b/c I heard that the preschool teacher who is going to teach DS2's class gives out gum as a reward...

[Corie]

I would like to get some Xylitol gum for the times when they do want some. Anyone have suggestions on brands, where to buy, etc.?


Yes, I'm interested in some recommendations too. :)

[MamaMolly]

J has been chewing zylitol gum since about 2.5ish. He started out with little pieces that he usually ended up swallowing but he got the gist of it pretty quickly. Now at 3 he has no problem chewing and then spitting it into a trashcan or wrapper when finished.

The only reason we gave him gum in the first place was as a zylitol suppliment. I can't imagine we would have given it to him otherwise.

:yeahthat: with DD.

[gordo]

DD is 4 and only had gum once because my neighbor gave it to her when she was over there without me. I was actually pretty annoyed by it, but whatever. She hasn't had gum since although she knows asks for it on a daily basis. Not sure when I will let her start chewing it.

[LexyLou]

Like others, 3.5 ish. She too knows the rule that it has to stay in your mouth. It's also helping to teach her to chew with her mouth closed. She chews one piece for an hour+. I'm impressed.