When you chew gum, several factors contribute to its texture and consistency. Initially, gum is molded into a chewy ball thanks to its ingredients, which typically include gum base, sweeteners, and flavorings. However, if you fall asleep with gum in your mouth, several reactions occur that cause it to soften and break apart.
The primary reason for this change is the action of saliva. While you are awake and chewing, saliva aids the chewing process and keeps the gum at a manageable consistency. However, as you sleep, you produce less saliva. This decrease leads to a lack of moisture which, paradoxically, can cause the gum to lose its firmness as your mouth settles into a resting state.
Additionally, the warmth of your mouth during sleep can increase the gum’s pliability. The ingredients in the gum that give it its chewiness can start to break down under extended exposure to moisture and heat. Over time, the gum can break down into smaller pieces, losing its form altogether. This process is not significantly due to enzymes breaking down the gum as they would with food; rather, it’s more about moisture and temperature affecting the gum’s physical structure.
So, while enzymes play a role in digestion, the melting of gum is largely due to a combination of reduced saliva, heat, and the gum’s ingredients losing their initial structure. In essence, your gum does not truly ‘melt’ but rather transforms due to these physical changes.