Frequently Asked Questions

There are no gluten or wheat products in the ingredients or components we use to manufacture our line of GUM® products, but some products might be manufactured in facilities that are not certified as Gluten-Free facilities. Our customer service team can provide more details if there is a specific product you would like to learn more about. Please reach out to the team at 1-888-777-3101 or email us at contact.us@us.sunstar.com

We believe overall health starts in the mouth, for which we take the ingredients and facilities we use to make our products very seriously. Our Flosser Picks do not contain eggs, peanuts, peanut products, tree nuts, dairy or dairy products and are made in an egg-free, peanut-free, and fish-free facility.

Unfortunately, our products are currently not recyclable. Our mission is to improve overall health, mouth by mouth. We provide high-quality products that support health and wellness. That includes minimizing our products' environmental impact and maximizing the use of limited resources. Our current and future initiatives include sustainable manufacturing, packaging recycling & waste reduction, eco-friendly products, and a responsible supply chain. For more information on our sustainability efforts, please visit: sunstar.com/sustainability

Soft-Picks®: No, our GUM® Soft-Picks® are single-use.

GUM® Flossers: No, our Flosser Picks are single-use.

Proxabrush®: Yes, our GUM® Proxabrush® Go-Betweens® are usable for one week. They should be rinsed after each use and replaced weekly. The Proxabrush® Go-Betweens® have antibacterial bristles that allow for more than one use.

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

• Floss comes in 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. Learn more on how to choose your floss.
• 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 like small toothbrushes and come in multiple sizes to fit different interdental spaces perfectly.
• Dental picks are little brushes with rubber tips and bristles designed to quickly and gently remove food and plaque between teeth while stimulating blood flow in the gums. They are convenient for use at home or on the go.

We suggest you contact your dental professional for advice on choosing the best interdental for your needs. 

Our smallest dental picks are our GUM® Soft-Picks® Original, followed by GUM® Soft-Picks® Comfort Flex Mint, Soft-Picks® Advanced, and Soft-Picks® Original, Wide, respectively. 

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

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

Choosing the correct type of bristles can make a real difference for your gums and teeth. As a general rule, soft, gentle bristles are recommended. 

For further advice, we recommend speaking with your dental professional.

Interdental cleaning is the best way to remove plaque between teeth and is an essential complement to toothbrushing. These helpful tools can clean where your toothbrush can't.

You can use several tools, including  interdental brushes and dental picks.

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

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. 

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.

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 much softer and more vulnerable to decay.

Yes, brushing too hard can cause tooth abrasion. In the long run, this will wear your enamel away and expose the dentin, causing tooth sensitivity. To learn more about this and how to brush, check out these toothbrushing techniques.

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 common for people with gingivitis to develop bad breath.

To avoid bad breath, learn why you should care about plaque.

Bad breath is often caused by plaque build-up, so learning to take your oral care routine to the next level is your best bet to get your fresh breath back.

Cleaning between your teeth can help remove plaque which is usually the leading cause of bad breath.

Flossing is one option, but you can also use an interdental brush or dental picks, both designed to clean the interdental space effectively.

Many people find them easier to use than floss. Learn more about why you should clean between your teeth. 

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

Interdental cleaning is an essential step, especially if you have brackets.

Some tools are particularly adapted to orthodontics, allowing you to clean around the wires and brackets easily. We recommend using dental picks or interdental brushes.

Choosing the right interdental size ensures the best results and avoids hurting your gums. 

If you're seeking personalized advice, speak to your dental professional.

Good toothbrushing is crucial when you have braces because food and plaque can quickly 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.