How to Choose the Best Chewing Gum for You

Your Guide to buying the best Chewing Gum

Overview

Chewing gum is a widely popular and versatile product that can be enjoyed by everyone. Whether you're looking for a way to satisfy a sweet tooth, freshen up your breath, or just have something to do with your hands, there are countless options to choose from. This buying guide will provide helpful information about the different types of chewing gum, how to find the best one for your needs, and the health considerations of chewing gum. We’ll also cover the types of flavors and ingredients that might be found in different kinds of gum. With this information, you can be sure to purchase the perfect gum for your preferences and lifestyle.

Key features

  1. Flavor - Consider the flavor you are looking for. Chewing gum is available in a variety of flavors, from mint and fruit to licorice and bubble gum.
  2. Brand - Different brands of chewing gum can provide different flavor and texture experiences, so it is important to understand the different available options.
  3. Ingredients - Read the ingredients list to understand the type of gum and any potential allergens or ingredients you may not want.
  4. Texture - Chewing gum comes in a variety of textures, from soft and chewy to hard and crunchy. Consider which texture you prefer when making a selection.
  5. Price - Chewing gum can cost anywhere from a few cents to several dollars, depending on the brand and type of gum. Consider how much you are willing to spend for the type of Gum you are looking for.
  6. Sugar Content - Consider the sugar content of the gum you are considering. Many brands now offer sugar-free options, as well as naturally sweetened options.

See the most popular Chewing Gum on Amazon

Important considerations

Pros

  • Fresh Breath - Chewing gum is a great way to freshen breath between brushing and can offer an immediate remedy after eating or drinking something odorous.
  • Stimulation - Chewing gum can help to stimulate the production of saliva, which is important for good oral hygiene.
  • Convenience - Chewing gum is an easy, convenient way to freshen breath, taste, and help keep teeth clean.
  • Variety - Chewing gum comes in a variety of flavors and can be flavored with sugar or sugar-free alternatives.
  • Affordability - Chewing gum is an inexpensive way to freshen breath and keep teeth clean.

Cons

  • Health Concerns- Chewing gum can be bad for your teeth if not brushed soon after. It can also cause jaw problems such as TMJ.
  • Price- Chewing gum can be expensive depending on the brand and type of gum being purchased.
  • Stains- Chewing gum can leave stains on fabrics and other surfaces.
  • Environmental Impact- Chewing gum contains plastic and other non-biodegradable ingredients that can cause harm to the environment.
  • Flavor Fading- Chewing gum can lose its flavor quickly, making it a short-lived treat.

Best alternatives

  1. Sugar-free mints - Smaller, discrete candy that can be used to freshen breath just like chewing gum can.
  2. Breath-freshening sprays/gels - Products that use a more powerful blast of flavor to freshen breath; generally less discrete than mints.
  3. Sugar-free cough drops - Hard candy that soothes sore throats and freshens breath; often contain menthol.
  4. Sugar-free lozenges - Dissolvable candy that refreshes breath; usually come in a variety of flavors.

Related tools, supplies, and accessories

  • Mints – A candy typically made with sugar and peppermint oil, and sometimes other flavors.
  • Gum Base – The primary ingredient in chewing gum, which is made of natural or synthetic rubbers like chicle.
  • Sugar – A sweetener often added to candy, including chewing gum.
  • Natural or Artificial Flavors – Flavoring agents that give chewing gum its distinctive sweet taste.
  • Humectants – Ingredients that help keep chewing gum soft, such as propylene glycol, glycerin, or sorbitol.
  • Colorings – Colorings used to make chewing gum appear more appealing.
  • Preservatives – Ingredients used to help chewing gum last longer, such as sodium benzoate, sorbic acid, and potassium sorbate.
  • Stabilizers – Ingredients added to chewing gum to help it keep its shape, such as xanthan gum, carrageenan, or guar gum.
  • Waxes – Ingredients that provide a glossy sheen to chewing gum, such as beeswax, carnauba wax, or paraffin wax.
  • Softeners – Ingredients used in chewing gum to make it softer, such as glycerin, lecithin, or stearic acid.

Common questions

  1. What types of chewing gum are available?
    • Chewing gum is available in a wide variety of types, including sugar-free, sugar-sweetened, flavored, and unflavored options. Popular flavors include mint, berry, and bubblegum.
  2. Are there any health benefits to chewing gum?
    • Chewing gum can help reduce stress and anxiety levels, as well as freshen breath and clean teeth. Chewing sugar-free gum has also been found to reduce the incidence of cavities.
  3. What is the best way to store chewing gum?
    • Chewing gum should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, preferably in a sealed container.
  4. Are there any safety or age restrictions on chewing gum?
    • Most chewing gum manufacturers recommend that individuals under the age of 4 not chew gum due to the potential for choking. Additionally, individuals with dentures should avoid chewing gum with sugar as it can cause tooth decay.

Trivia

In the late 1950s, a chewing gum company in Canada accidentally shipped a batch of gum to the United States with French-language packaging. Despite the language barrier, the gum became a hit in the US, and soon the company began printing bilingual packaging to capitalize on its newfound popularity. The gum was so popular it was even featured as a clue in the game show "Jeopardy!" in the late 1990s. Source: https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/66003/history-chewing-gum.

Disclaimer: This buying guide was not created by humans, and it is possible that some of it's content is inaccurate or incomplete. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this buying guide. Additionally, the images on this page were generated by AI and may not accurately represent the product that is being discussed. We have tried to convey useful information, but it is our subjective opinion and should not be taken as complete or factual.