It’s a rule in my house to buy a pack of gum before a plane ride. My mom always said that chewing was a distraction from the horrible feeling in your ears, but there is a science behind it.

According to wonderopolis.org, “the act of swallowing forces the Eustachian tube to open, which in turn makes your ears pop,” this explains why chewing gum helps. Chewing gum causes your mouth to produce lots of saliva. When swallowing it, your ears pop and relieve the pressure caused by the fast changing altitude and atmospheric pressure.

Next time you board a plane and want the kids beside you to stop crying, give them a piece of gum! Always be aware of where that gum ends up so you don’t encounter a sticky situation, and let the parents know so you don’t get into any trouble.