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 it's 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. Thirty years ago, SUNSTAR pioneered research on the connection between oral and systemic health, casting a light on this crucial relationship. 

This research identified a bidirectional link between gum health and diabetes but also helped discover the connection between compromised gums and other systemic conditions such as cardiovascular disease.

Because of SUNSTAR's holistic vision and dedication to understanding these connections, we are better able to understand these dynamics, and to educate our consumers and professional partners on the importance of preventing inflammation in the mouth - to limit its development in other parts of the body and its impact on overall health.

GUM stands true to the SUNSTAR motto ‘Help people everywhere lead better, healthier lives’.