Frequently Asked Questions

The following GUM products do not contain gluten and are suitable for people on a gluten-free diet: GUM ActiVital® Toothpaste and Mouthwash, GUM SensiVital®+ Toothpaste and Mouthwash, GUM JUNIOR 7+ Toothpaste, GUM KIDS 3-6 Toothpaste, GUM Original White Toothpaste and Mouthwash, GUM ORTHO Toothpaste and Mouthwash, GUM PAROEX® 0,12 Toothpaste and Mouthwash and GUM PAROEX 0,06 Toothpaste and Mouthwash.

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While our products are vegetarian-friendly (except GUM ORTHO Mouthwash which contains fluoride of animal origin), they are not vegan-accredited. GUM products might contain some traces of animal origin. 

For example, toothbrush processing of plastics and polymers involves the use of raw materials of herbal or animal origin, at a parts-per-million level.

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All GUM products are paraben-free with the exception of the following: 

GUM ORTHO Toothpaste and Mouthwash, GUM Original White Mouthwash  and the GUM PAROEX 0,12 range.

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The bacteria in plaque produce acids that attack the enamel causing a loss of minerals. 

This demineralization process creates weak spots in the enamel which can develop into cavities if left untreated. 

Using products with fluoride will slow down the breakdown of enamel and speed up the remineralization process.

In summary, fluoride is a great way of protecting your teeth against cavities, that's why we choose to use it in our products. The use of fluoride toothpaste is also recommended by the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) to prevent cavities. 

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Our GUM cosmetic products do not contain lactose or dairy products as raw materials. 

Additionally, no lactose or dairy products are processed in the manufacturing facility. This eliminates the probability of contamination.

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GUM products are safe and suitable for pregnant women provided they do not have an allergy or intolerance to one or several ingredients and that the products are used as intended. 

As with any GUM product, we recommend asking your doctor or pharmacist for advice when starting treatment with GUM PAROEX.

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The plastic we use is not biodegradable but it can be recycled with other plastics to support a circular plastic economy.

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The following GUM products contain CPC:

• GUM ORTHO Mouthwash; 0.05% CPC
• GUM ORTHO Toothpaste; 0.05% CPC
• GUM PAROEX® Maintenance Mouthwash 0.06%; 0.05% CPC
• GUM PAROEX® Maintenance Toothpaste 0.06%; 0.05% CPC
• GUM PAROEX® Intensive Action Mouthwash 0.12%;  0.05% CPC
• GUM PAROEX® Intensive Action Toothpaste 0.12%;  0.05% CPC
• GUM SensiVital®+ Mouthwash;  0.07% CPC
• GUM SensiVital®+ Toothpaste; 0.05% CPC

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For best results and good hygiene, we recommend changing your toothbrush at least every 3 months or as soon as the bristles start to flare out. 

If you've been ill we recommend you change your toothbrush after recovery.  

For additional information, we've created this video on brushing your teeth.

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Choosing the right type of bristles can make a real difference for your gums and teeth. As a general rule, soft, gentle bristles are recommended. Learn more about bristle texture here. 

For further advice,  we recommend speaking with your oral health professional. 

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The size of your toothbrush head is an important factor for effective toothbrushing. Heads usually come in three sizes: ultra compact, compact or regular. To find out which is best for you, visit our page on choosing a toothbrush. 

For further advice, we recommend asking your oral health professional. 

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Good toothbrushing is crucial when you have braces because food and plaque can easily build up around wires and brackets. 

We recommend using the GUM ORTHO Toothbrush with V-shape cut bristles to help you clean around your orthodontic appliance. 

If you prefer an electric toothbrush, the GUM SONIC DAILY Battery Toothbrush is also a good option for orthodontics. 

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It's important for children to begin good oral care habits from a young age. We suggest beginning with toothbrushing as soon as the first milk tooth appears. 

We recommend doing this at least once a day, preferably after each meal, using a toothbrush designed especially for babies and toddlers. 

As your child gets older, you can switch to a small and soft toothbrush. 

Learn more about our range of toothbrushes for babies and toddlers.

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All three are tools designed to help you clean between your teeth.

• Floss comes in the form of string floss or flossers which can be inserted between the teeth to remove food and plaque. It's a good option if you have very tight teeth. If you want to find out more about types of floss, check out this page. 
• Interdental brushes are small brushes, with conical or cylindrical heads, and bristles designed to fill and clean the interdental space and remove food and plaque. They're basically like a small toothbrush and come in multiple sizes so as to perfectly fit different interdental spaces.
• Rubber interdental picks are little brushes with a rubber tip and rubber bristles designed to easily and gently remove food and plaque from between teeth, while also stimulating blood flow in the gums. They are convenient for use at home or on the go.

For advice on choosing the best interdental for your needs, we have created a dedicated page on the topic to answer your questions.

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Interdental cleaning is the best way of removing plaque from between your teeth and is an essential complement to toothbrushing. These helpful aids are able to clean where your toothbrush can't. 

There are a number of tools you can use, including interdental brushes and rubber interdental picks. 

For tighter teeth, you may want to consider using floss. To find out why it should be part of your morning or evening ritual, head to our page on interdental cleaning.

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GUM rubber interdental picks are single-use but our interdental brushes can be reused for up to one week.

The bristles of our interdental brushes are coated with Chlorhexidine (CHX), an antibacterial agent, to help prevent bacterial growth and keep the brush cleaner between uses.

 As an extra precaution, we recommend you rinse them and leave to dry standing after every use. 

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If you have sensitive teeth, we recommend using the GUM SensiVital+ Toothpaste which provides quick, long-lasting relief from tooth sensitivity and fortifies your enamel.

For best results, use in combination with the GUM SensiVital Ultra-Soft Toothbrush designed with ultra-soft, tapered bristles to help you achieve a deep clean gently and comfortably. 

It's also the ideal toothbrush if you have tender gums that require gentle care. To give your sensitive teeth the best possible care, we also recommend using our GUM SensiVital+ Mouthwash after brushing and interdental cleaning. 

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Although you cannot rebuild enamel, there are things you can do to alleviate sensitivity, strengthen your enamel, and prevent further damage. Our recommendation is to use a toothpaste and mouthwash with an anti-sensitivity agent. 

GUM SensiVital+ Toothpaste and Mouthwash are specially formulated to strengthen weakened enamel and desensitize nerve endings, providing quick relief after just 3 days of treatment. 

Tooth sensitivity should decrease progressively throughout the period of use. 

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If you have sensitive teeth, the best thing you can do is use products that alleviate sensitivity by desensitizing your nerves and plugging and sealing the tiny exposed tubules in your dentin.

We recommend using the GUM SensiVital+ Toothpaste and Mouthwash which are both specially formulated to fortify your enamel and provide quick and long-lasting relief (sensitivity should start to decrease progressively from the third day of use).

You should also consider switching to an ultra-soft toothbrush such as GUM SensiVital Toothbrush. Designed with ultra-soft, tapered bristles, it helps you achieve a deep clean gently and comfortably.

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Enamel acts as a protective outer layer for the whole tooth, extending even below the gum line. 

When demineralization occurs, often because of acids in the mouth or harsh brushing, the enamel is weakened. 

When demineralization isn't addressed early on, the enamel will progressively wear away exposing the highly sensitive inner part of the tooth, known as dentin. Unfortunately, this process is irreversible and the enamel cannot be restored. 

Once this happens, heat, cold, acidic, sweet, or spicy foods can travel through tiny channels through the dentin to the nerves inside the tooth, which can cause sharp pain. You can read more about this topic here.

Sensitivity can also be a consequence of gum recession, whereby the gum tissue pulls back, leaving the root of the tooth (where the dentin is only protected by a thin layer of enamel) exposed to all sorts of stimuli which may cause pain. 

Using GUM SensiVital+ Toothpaste and Mouthwash twice a day can provide quick, long-lasting relief by desensitizing nerve endings and plugging and sealing the tiny exposed tubules in your dentin, while also fortifying your enamel.  

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Yes, teeth with damaged enamel and exposed dentin are more susceptible to cavities. This is because dentin has a lower mineral content than enamel making it a lot softer and more vulnerable to decay. 

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Yes, brushing too hard can cause tooth abrasion. In the long run, this will wear your enamel away and leave the dentin exposed, causing tooth sensitivity. To learn more about this and find out how to brush check out our page on toothbrushing.

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Mouth ulcers, also known as canker sores, are shallow open wounds that appear on the tongue, gums, roof of the mouth or on the inside of the lips or cheeks. 

They tend to be round or oval-shaped and white/yellow. Mouth ulcers are often painful as the nerves that lie just below the surface of the mouth lining become exposed to food, drinks, air, and saliva. This can make eating, drinking, and brushing uncomfortable. 

Mouth ulcers are neither dangerous nor contagious and, in fact, are very common and can be healed. 

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Mouth ulcers, also known as canker sores, are shallow open wounds that appear on the tongue, gums, roof of the mouth or on the inside of the lips or cheeks. 

They tend to be round or oval-shaped and white/yellow. Mouth ulcers are often painful as the nerves that lie just below the surface of the mouth lining become exposed to food, drinks, air, and saliva. This can make eating, drinking, and brushing uncomfortable. 

Mouth ulcers are neither dangerous nor contagious and, in fact, are very common and can be healed. 

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Yes, if plaque is left to build up, it can lead to bad breath. The foul smell is caused by the accumulation of food debris and bacteria on and between the teeth. 

Since plaque build-up is often the cause of gum disease, it is very common for people with gingivitis to develop bad breath. 

Learn more about this topic in this blog article. 

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Bad breath is often caused by plaque build-up so a great oral care routine is your best bet to get your fresh breath back. 

Head to this page for advice on how to easily take your routine to the next level. 

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Cleaning between your teeth can help remove plaque which is usually responsible for bad breath. 

Floss is one option, but you can also use an interdental brush or rubber interdental pick, both designed to better fill up the interdental space. 

Many people find them easier to use than floss. If you want to learn more about the importance of cleaning between your teeth, read our blog article on this topic.

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Keeping your mouth moisturized is key to relieving the discomfort caused by dry mouth. We recommend you drink enough water throughout the day and avoid alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco. Moisturizing products are also helpful.

Our innovative GUM HYDRAL® range is formulated to provide immediate and long-lasting relief from dry mouth. 

It also helps to fortify your teeth and protect your gums which aren't getting the natural benefits of saliva. 

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Dry mouth doesn't just cause discomfort, it also has an impact on your teeth. This is because saliva has several functions. 

Not only does saliva keep your mouth moist, but it also helps to wash away food debris and fights cavity-causing bacteria. 

A reduction of saliva flow can also lead to a decrease in pH at the tooth surface which in turn can cause enamel erosion. So if you have little or no saliva, you're at greater risk of developing cavities and of tooth loss. 

We recommend trying our GUM HYDRAL range which is formulated to not only provide immediate, long-lasting relief but also to protect your gums and teeth.

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Saliva has many protective functions. So when you have dry mouth, reduced levels of saliva can cause many oral health issues such as cavities and tooth loss, infections and irritation, bleeding gums and bad breath. 

It can also cause discomfort and, in some cases, a sensation of pain. We recommend using the GUM HYDRAL range which is specially formulated to recreate the natural benefits of saliva. It provides immediate, long-lasting relief and protects your teeth and gums. 

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Your teeth can become stained due to drinks (coffee, tea and red wine), smoking and medications. 

Learn more about the causes of tooth stains here.

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There are numerous products and procedures developed to remove stains. They can very aggressive on your gums and enamel so we recommend speaking with your dentist before beginning treatment. 

For optimal efficacy and safety, we recommend using our GUM Original White solutions to maintain your original white smile and prevent further staining. 

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To prevent staining, we recommend using the GUM Original White range which is specially formulated to remove and prevent stains while being gentle on gums and enamel. 

For optimal results, we suggest this combination of a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash.

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You can find our online retailers and your nearest point of sale here.

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