Many schools in the Bay Area have an overall ban on chewing gum on school campuses. According to the 2024-2025 NDB Student Handbook, “ Chewing gum is not permitted.” (pg. 44) But, why is this ban in place and is it necessary for NDB students?
Many students use chewing gum as a mechanism to stay alert and focused while in class. According to a study done by the National Institutes of Health, chewing gum increases alertness and improves intellectual performance. This study also concluded that chewing gum in the morning was associated with productivity and significantly reduced a person’s amount of cognitive errors.
Chewing gum can be loud and disruptive during class hours and can quickly turn into a sticky mess. Used gum is stuck under desks or wrappers are left on the ground; chewed gum can quickly turn into a nuisance to clean up. Also, blowing bubbles or snapping gum can become more of a distraction than a tool for focus for many students.
Alarmingly, chewing gum can cause more issues than many people realize. According to health.clevelandclinic.org, constant gum chewing puts a lot of force on jaw joints, muscles and teeth. Excessive chewing can even cause headaches, jaw pain, popping in the jaw joints and in severe cases tooth fractures. While these side effects aren’t that common, it should be kept in mind that gum can lead to health consequences.
One option for avid gum users is to chew gum while studying at home to boost memory and focus instead of in class. Or, students can substitute gum for mints to follow the rules while still getting a minty treat to stay focused and fresh. Other substitutes include chewing ice or eating other sweets, all of which are available at the Tiger Cafe.
It is crucial to maintain the cleanliness of NDB’s campus, not only to limit the amount of cleaning the staff has to do but also positively to support the environment. If students can chew gum without disrupting class and properly dispose of the gum afterward, maybe the ban can no longer be necessary. However, while the ban is in place, students should opt for mints, candy, or another replacement.
Staying conscious of jaw and tooth health and being sure to not disrupt classes with gum chewing could lead to many positive academic and de-stressing benefits. Overall, if students can prove that they have the ability to both chew gum and keep the campus clean, maybe one day the overall gum ban could be lifted. Until then, the ban should likely stay in place to prioritize NDB’s campus and the environment.
