Our Roots
Our roots lie in professional dentistry. Our history goes back to 1923 when Dr. John O. Butler introduced a two-row toothbrush. Later, he added a round rubber tip, the first of its kind, to the end of toothbrushes. When the GUM® brand was developed in the 1960s, that philosophy of gentle oral care made its way into the brand name: GUM® stands for Gentle Uletic Massage.
GUM® embraced holistic health after its integration into the SUNSTAR company, a family-owned business with a special commitment to mouth and body health. SUNSTAR’s holistic convictions are rooted in the heartfelt experiences of its founding family.
Recent research identified a bidirectional link between gum health and diabetes1 but also helped discover the connection between compromised gums and other systemic conditions such as cardiovascular disease2.
Because of SUNSTAR's comprehensive vision and dedication to understanding these connections, we are better able to understand these dynamics and educate our consumers and professional partners on the importance of removing food debris and plaque to avoid gum inflammation, also known as gingivitis, which is linked to other systematic issues impacting the overall health.
GUM stands true to the SUNSTAR motto: ‘Help people everywhere lead better, healthier lives.’
1. Data on File (DOF-0052) 2. Data on File (DOF-0051)