Wednesday marked 6 months since I quit gum cold turkey. . For over a dozen years Icebreakers Ice Cube gum was ALWAYS in my purse. I felt panicked if I didn’t have access to gum. . Growing up my Dad was an occasional gum chewer, a big old wad that he’d chomp like a cow. That Rainbow gum balls you bought in a skinny long cellophane tube, he put them all in his mouth and chew until the flavor was all gone. . I wasn’t allowed to chew gum growing up because my parents paid to have sealant treatment on my teeth to help prevent cavities and chewing gum would degrade the sealant. I remember occasionally sneaking a piece of gum and carefully chewing it with just my front teeth. . Finally around junior high my parents laid off the sealant treatment and I was free to chew gum. As a tween it was still hard to access gum regularly, but in high school I worked at CVS and suddenly had access to ALL the gum. I chewed Trident for a long time, then Orbit, but in 2006 I pledged my allegiance to Icebreakers Ice Cubes. . I figured it’s sugar free gum, so how bad could it be. Turns out both the fake sweeteners and the act of chewing were doing me no favors in my weight loss journey. But it wasn’t until my bi-annual dentist appointment where I was getting scolded for how badly I am grinding through my second night guard in 3 years that my dentist encouraged me to give up gum. . In the months and weeks prior to that dentist appointment I found myself really relying on gum when I was stressed - like at work or even driving or as a distraction until a meal time. None of that was healthy behavior. I left the dentist office threw out the remaining gum in my purse and haven’t looked back. . I’m honestly surprised how easy it’s been. I have my bi-annual dentist appointment on Tuesday and I’m curious if they will note any differences in my teeth, gums, or grinding since I kicked the gum habit. I will keep you posted! . #gumchewing #teethgrinding #gumaddict #gumaddiction #bruxism https://www.instagram.com/p/CA04Ru4B4sX/?igshid=uhbuusm5rz2r