Oral Fixation...Anybody Got a Solution?

OK, I know I am opening myself up to an onslaught of jokes and the obvious humor that is just naturally associated with oral fixations, but I have a serious question. 

This is my first week of working at home. I have done it in the past but I didn't just have WLS back then. I have this weird thing that I think better with something in my mouth. Back in the school days there was no pen cap safe. A while back I discovered sunflower seeds did a great job but my BP skyrocketted because of the salt. I found some unsalted and that worked but I tore up the inside of my mouth. Working in an office there are plenty of distractions, but working from home after just one day I can feel the pressure to put something in my mouth. Gum chewing was a great thing for a while but even the lowest carb gum is like 2 carbs per stick and I was at least a 2 stick at a time chewer. One to two packs a day. Not WLS friendly.

My question is has anyone found anything that can satisfy an oral fixation? I have had some Worthers sugar free candies that are great, but I can only eat one or two so that is not an all day solution. Ice doesn't really work because its really bad for your teeth.

Any ideas?

DAMMIT! You called me on the jokes before I could spit them out. HAHAHAHA Oral...spit...HAHAHAHA

Ok now that it's out of my system, *snicker* I honestly am a smoker. I quit, I started again after the issues with my stepson came about, and I haven't quit again yet. One thing that helps is to have the little coffee straws that you can pick up from a gas station. I chew them until they're not even recognizable. I don't do well with the candies because they're a trigger for me. I also kept normal size straws around, just to keep something in my hands. It was a hand to mouth fixation that I had. Good luck Keith!

And here I thought I had considered all the possible jokes and you go and open the door for a whole new set of possibilities. A hand to mouth fixation. Any chance you have a sister who isn't married? Sorry had to get just one in. 

You smoke...it took me a long time to start back. I had a 20 year habit. I quit last April, had surgery in June, then started back up in January when stress got to me too.  I need to quit again, but the thought barely crosses my mind. I asked a surgeon if it is going to hurt me, he said in the way of the surgery, and as far out as I am , probably not, but I guess I took that as my green light. I don't know how to stop. It is more the habit of the "hand to mouth" than the nicotine, I believe. I am going to try your suggestion of straws. Gosh knows I have a huge collection of them by running through drive thru's. I don't drink out of them, but I don't throw them away, maybe there was a reason!! LOL! Thanks for the suggestion.

Let me know what you figure out!  I'm a former smoker who turned to diet coke and now that I've quit that am biting my nails.  I've been chewing ice but I know it's not good. 

This goes for the former smokers as well, cinnamon flavored tooth picks! the cinnamon is supposed to cancel nicotine cravers and has worked wonders for the former smokers in my family. This might work too for the oral fixation (heehee) but maybe non flavored ones as well.

I suck on Sugar Free Altoids mini mints (Nordic) they are incredibly strong and kill my yen to have something in my mouth. MFP states that they are 1 calorie each and zero carb. 

Maybe get some Isopure Zero carb and freeze it into popsicles?  Then you could also get some protein in that way...

Glad you have asked this question because I have the same issue you do.

I don't know you very well but I have read some of your responses on others posts & you're always cracking me up with your jokes. I had planned on saying something smarta** until I saw that it said "serious question" so I'll just leave it alone. LOL

How about putting a toothpick in your mouth and kind of poking at your gums? Your hygienist will be pleased because it will help strengthen your gums, but it won't cost you any calories.