Who owns GUM?
GUM
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- Brand origin
- Japan
- Main production
- Several countries, incl. Germany
GUM is an oral care brand focused on periodontal care, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, and interdental products. GUM is ultimately owned by Sunstar, a Japanese company headquartered in Osaka, Japan.
jp.sunstargum.comAbout GUM
What is GUM?
GUM is an oral care brand owned by Sunstar. The brand focuses on products for periodontal care and oral hygiene. Sunstar’s consumer business describes GUM as a global oral care brand serving consumers and dental professionals.
Who owns GUM?
GUM is ultimately owned by Sunstar, according to Made O’Meter’s ownership data verified on September 23, 2026. Sunstar took ownership of the John O. Butler Company and the GUM brand in 1988. Sunstar is a Japanese company headquartered in Osaka, Japan, with consumer businesses covering oral care, health, and beauty. GUM is a registered trademark of Sunstar Suisse S.A.
Where does GUM come from?
GUM has roots in the United States and Japan. Periodontist Dr. John O. Butler founded his company in Chicago in 1923 and developed a toothbrush designed for oral hygiene. Sunstar was founded in Japan in 1932 by Kunio Kaneda. Sunstar launched its GUM periodontal care product line in 1989 after acquiring the John O. Butler Company and the GUM brand.
What products does GUM make?
GUM makes dental pastes, mouthwashes, toothbrushes, and interdental cleaners. The Japanese GUM range includes products for periodontal care, tooth sensitivity, whitening, cavities, and bad breath. Sunstar has also launched GUM PLUS and GUM lab product lines in Japan.
Where is GUM sold?
GUM products are sold internationally through Sunstar’s consumer business. Sunstar states that its GUM consumer brand serves consumers and professionals in more than 100 countries.
Frequently asked questions about GUM
Is GUM a Japanese brand?
- GUM is owned by Sunstar, a Japanese company headquartered in Osaka. The GUM brand itself originated from the John O. Butler Company in Chicago before Sunstar acquired it in 1988.
When did Sunstar acquire GUM?
- Sunstar acquired the John O. Butler Company and the GUM brand in 1988. Sunstar launched its GUM periodontal care product line in 1989.
What does GUM stand for?
- The available sources identify GUM as the brand name used for Sunstar’s oral care products. They do not provide a verified expansion of the name as an acronym.
Does GUM make toothpaste and mouthwash?
- Yes. GUM makes toothpaste, mouthwash, toothbrushes, and interdental cleaning products. The range is positioned around oral hygiene and periodontal care.
Is GUM owned by Sunstar Suisse?
- GUM is ultimately owned by Sunstar. Sunstar Suisse S.A. is identified as the holder of the GUM registered trademark, while Sunstar is the Japanese parent group identified as the brand owner.
Sources: professional.sunstargum.com: about us.html, professional.sunstargum.com: the sunstar gum story.html, jp.sunstar.com: gum, jp.sunstar.com, jp.sunstargum.com, professional.sunstargum.com: ueber uns.html, professional.sunstargum.com: a propos de nous.html, sunstar.com
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Products from GUM
40- GUM Soft-Picks OriginalPersonal care – Interdental Hygiene
- GUM Interdental BrushesPersonal care – Hygiene
- G-U-M Soft-PicksPersonal care – Interdental cleaners
- GUM dental hygiene productsPersonal care – oral hygiene
- GUM oral carePersonal care – oral hygiene
- Sunstar G·U·M ToothpastePersonal care – Hygiene
- GUM oral care productsPersonal care – Dental hygiene (toothbrush, dental floss, interdental brushes)
- GUM Bi-Direction ToothbrushPersonal care – Oral hygiene
- GUM Bi-Directional Interdental BrushesPersonal care – Oral Hygiene
- GUM Interdental Cleaning BrushesPersonal care – Oral hygiene
- Sunstar GUM oral carePersonal care – Hygiene
- GUM MouthwashPersonal care – Mouthwash / Oral hygiene
- GUM ButlerWeave Waxed FlossPersonal care – Dental floss
- G.U.M Easy-FlossersPersonal care – Hygiene (Dental Floss Picks)
- GUM Ortho MouthwashPersonal care – Oral Hygiene / Mouthwash
- GUM Trav-ler Interdental BrushPersonal care – Hygiene (Interdental brushes)
- GUM Hydral Moisturizing GelPersonal care – Hygiene (Oral Care)
- GUM Soft-Picks ProPersonal care – Interdental cleaners
- GUM Deep Clean Expanding FlossPersonal care – Oral hygiene
- GUM Butlerweave dental flossPersonal care – Oral hygiene
- GUM Ortho toothpastePersonal care – Hygiene (Oral Care)
- G.U.M Paroex MouthrinsePersonal care – Oral Hygiene Mouthwash
- Sunstar GUM Paroex toothpastePersonal care – toothpaste
- GUM Comfort Slide Flosser PicksPersonal care – hygiene
and 16 more products

