Yes, most chewing gum contains plastic in its "gum base," typically synthetic polymers like polyvinyl acetate, which gives it chewiness, although some brands offer plastic-free alternatives using natural tree sap. Chewing gum is essentially a plastic-like material, and recent studies show it can shed microplastics that people end up swallowing.
Chewing gums are made from a rubbery base, sweetener, flavorings and other ingredients. Natural gum products use a plant-based polymer, such as chicle or other tree sap, to achieve the right chewiness, while other products use synthetic rubber bases from petroleum-based polymers.
Dentists warn against chewing gum due to risks of jaw problems (TMJ disorders) from overuse, potential tooth decay from sugary gums, and gum getting stuck in braces, though sugar-free gum can actually help by boosting saliva to neutralize acids, but it's not a replacement for brushing and flossing. They often recommend sugar-free gum with xylitol and advise limiting chewing to avoid jaw strain and only using it as a supplement to, not a substitute for, regular oral hygiene.
Thousands of tonnes of plastic pollution could be escaping into the environment every year … from our mouths. Most chewing gum on sale is made from a variety of oil-based synthetic rubbers – similar to the plastic material used in car tyres. If you find that thought slightly unsettling, you are not alone.
SAY NO TO PLASTIC
CHEWSY is a plant-based, plastic-free chewing gum made with real ingredients that are sugar free, aspartame free, artificial free, gluten free and vegan.
The results indicate a significant human exposure and potential health risk due to the use of chewing gums, if the released microplastics accumulate in the human intestinal tract.
Xylichew's Spearmint flavored gum is an all natural chewing gum that makes for the perfect choice if you are looking for a healthy chewing gum option. NATURAL GUM: Xylichew is a completely sugar free and naturally sweetened chewing gum made from birch xylitol.
Vitamins C and E are antioxidants that can help counter the negative effects of microplastics. Filtered water helps your body flush out microplastics. High-fiber diets help your body get rid of plastic in your waste by promoting bowel movements.
It almost sounds harmless. But chemical analysis shows that gum contains styrene-butadiene (the durable synthetic chemical used to make car tyres), polyethylene (the plastic used to make carrier bags and bottles) and polyvinyl acetate (woodglue) as well as some sweetener and flavouring.
Coca‑Cola 20oz bottles are now made from 100% recycled plastic (excluding cap and label) nationwide.
Sugar-free gum is the best choice, since versions made with the sugar substitute xylitol reduce cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth. Now, the downsides: unsurprisingly, constant gum chewing can tire jaw muscles, leading to problems such as clicking and headaches.
Chewing gum in Singapore is a no go, here's why…
Well, the law came into place in 1992 after a group of vandals left a mess big enough to shut it all down. Anyone caught manufacturing or selling gum could be fined up to $100,000, and in more serious cases, could face up to two years in prison.
Keep your mouth moist, which helps prevent bad breath. This is why many dentists recommend sugar-free gum as a quick, convenient way to support oral health—especially when you're on the go.
Gum base itself is made of three things: a resin for chewiness, wax for softness, and elastomers that maintain its elasticity. While early chewing gums were made from tree-based resins and natural waxes, these days, both ingredients are synthetically derived from petrochemicals.
Synthetic gums were first introduced to the U.S. after chicle no longer satisfied the needs of making good chewing gum. By the 1960s, US manufacturers had switched to butadiene-based synthetic rubber, as it was cheaper to manufacture.
Those who like the chewing action of gum may want to try licorice root as a healthy alternative. Licorice, when peeled and dried, can be chewed instead of gum. It may help with things like canker sores and bad breath, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It is easily obtained in organic food stores.
When making gum they're not literally melting down tires and engine lubricant in the factory- they source food-grade versions of synthetic rubber, petroleum waxes, resins, sweeteners, and dyes from industrial suppliers.
What most people don't know, is that microplastics exist in tiny forms within items we use daily – such as our toothpaste. It's important to educate ourselves on how microplastics harm our environment and our health.
INGREDIENTS: SORBITOL, GUM BASE, XYLITOL, GLYCERIN, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR; LESS THAN 2% OF: ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, ASPARTAME, BHT (TO MAINTAIN FRESHNESS), MANNITOL, SOY LECITHIN, SUCRALOSE. PHENYLKETONURICS: CONTAINS PHENYLALANINE. CONTAINS: SOY.
Types of Microplastics: Primary & Secondary
Secondary microplastics originate from larger objects that have broken down. Secondary microplastics derive from typical plastic goods - most commonly trash bags, Ziploc bags, plastic water bottles, packaging, and fishing nets.
A study released in 2024 found the rate of heart attacks, stroke and death was 4.5 times higher in people who had microplastics in the plaque clogging their neck arteries, compared to those who didn't.
Which food contains the most microplastics?
The 2-2-2 rule in dentistry is a simple guideline for good oral hygiene: brush twice a day, for two minutes each time, and visit your dentist twice a year, helping to prevent cavities, gum disease, and other dental problems by establishing consistent habits for plaque removal and professional monitoring.
Bubble gum tends to linger on dental surfaces, feeding harmful bacteria and increasing the risk of plaque buildup. For people who enjoy chewing gum, this means that traditional, sugar-loaded varieties should be enjoyed sparingly or, better yet, avoided altogether.
Trident Sugar-Free Gum – One of the most widely available ADA-approved gums, Trident helps reduce the risk of cavities when chewed for 20 minutes after eating. Orbit Sugar-Free Gum – Another ADA favorite, Orbit offers lots of flavors while supporting healthy saliva flow and acid neutralization.