What Are You Really Chewing: Your Favorite Gum Could Just Be Microplastics in Disguise
Most conventional chewing gums found on grocery store shelves—yes, even the ones labeled "natural"—use a synthetic base made from plastic polymers. That means what’s stretching between your teeth isn’t just flavor and fun, but the same family of materials used to make tires, plastic bags, and glue. Gross, right?
In fact, “gum base” on ingredient labels is an industry loophole. Companies don’t have to disclose what’s in it—and it often includes polyethylene and polyvinyl acetate, both common forms of plastic. The worst part? Because gum isn’t swallowed, it's exempt from the same scrutiny as food products, despite being in your mouth for long periods and absorbed through the mucosal tissue.
What’s the big deal?
Microplastics have been found in human bloodstreams, lungs, and even placentas. Regular exposure—like sucking on plastic gum every day—raises questions around hormone disruption, inflammation, and long-term health risks. And for something we use as casually as gum, that’s a lot of unseen baggage for a 5-minute freshen-up.
So what should you chew instead?
Here are Clèco-approved, plastic-free gum brands that use natural, biodegradable ingredients like chicle (a tree sap from Central America):
Simply Gum – 100% natural, biodegradable, and flavored with real essential oils. Chic, simple packaging.
Glee Gum – Made with sustainably harvested chicle, it’s old-school gum done right.
Chewsy – Sugar-free and plastic-free with dentist-approved xylitol. A win for breath and your health.
