About Gum Removal

History

• Americans got their first taste of commercialized flavored chewing gum in the late 1800's, thanks to a man named Thomas Adams, and have been enjoying the sticky confection ever since. Chewing gum comes from the juice, or "chicle," of a sapodilla tree, and is then flavored to give it a minty or fruity flavor. "Black Jack" was the first flavored gum, which tasted like black licorice.

Time Frame

• People have enjoyed chewing gum-like wads dating back to the ancient Greeks. The Grecians harvested their gum from the sap of the mastic tree. American Indians showed the New England colonists how to make gum from Spruce resin, and they even sold some to easterners in the early 1800's. In 1880, makers began adding corn syrup and sugar to gum to help it retain its flavor. Gum gained huge popularity in the early 1900's, and it became the basis of present-day chewing gum.

Function

• People chew gum for a variety of reasons. Some manufacturers market their gum under the claim it sweetens breath and whitens teeth, while others target those looking to quit smoking. Children, especially, enjoy bubble gum for the pure fun of it. There's never been a kid who hasn't tried to blow the biggest bubble. People chew gum to combat nerves, to stifle cravings and to prevent ears from "popping" during flights.

Types

• People can buy gum in many different shapes and flavors these days. Long sticks are still a popular choice, as are packets of small, rectangular or candy-coated pieces. There are novelty gums, which comes packed in rolls, wads and balls. Some is even found inside the center of lollipops. Gum can be sugar-free, which is recommended by dentists, or prescribed by a doctor for medicinal purposes. It can taste fruity and sweet, or minty and spicy.

Prevention/Solution

• As enjoyable as chewing gum is, it can become a sticky nightmare when stuck anywhere but inside your mouth. If you ever find chewing gum on the bottom of your shoe, or other unfortunate places, there are chewing gum removal techniques you can try. Freezing gum will cause it to become hard and brittle, at which point it will break free of the item it's stuck on. Vinegar can dissolve stuck gum, and lubricants, such as oil or mayonnaise can remove it from hair. Of course there's the old peanut butter trick, too.