About Us
About Us
GUM® is owned by SUNSTAR, a leading Japanese company operating in the business sectors of oral care, health and beauty, safety, and environment. SUNSTAR strives to provide products and services that help people everywhere achieve better health and a better quality of life.
The GUM story begins in 1923, when Dr John O. Butler, a periodontist from Chicago, introduced an innovative new toothbrush that was specially designed to improve oral hygiene. As people began to realise that oral health was important for their overall well-being, Dr Butler was able to build up a thriving business. He adhered to a basic philosophy of research and development in preventive dentistry. His strength lied in his integrity, innovation, and quality.
SUNSTAR, a leading Japanese manufacturer of health-related products, took ownership of GUM in 1988 and used its experience in production, research, and development to further grow the company.
SUNSTAR believes that the state of our oral health has a deep connection to the health of the whole body. We have pioneered this idea and continue to champion it in partnership with dental and medical specialists throughout the world. Recent research has highlighted probable links between oral hygiene and serious health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and complications during pregnancy.
Along with SUNSTAR’s other major oral brands, BUTLER and GUM continues to leverage the latest research and technology to help dental professionals and pharmacists offer patients the best possible oral care and deliver on SUNSTAR‘S promise of better health and better lives.
The Sunstar GUM ® story
Our story has two beginnings: when Dr John O. Butler started his company in the USA in 1923, and when SUNSTAR was founded in Japan in 1932.
Dr Butler, a dentist from Chicago, introduced a new 2-row toothbrush that could clean teeth and gums much more effectively than the large and bulky models available at that time. Thanks to his dedication to preventive dentistry, quality and innovation, the company soon began to thrive.
Meanwhile, in Japan, SUNSTAR had begun manufacturing tubes of glue for bicycles, before realising that the tubes could be used to package toothpaste, which had generally been sold in powder form until then. The first tubes of toothpaste went on sale in 1946, in a move that would transform the oral care industry.
SUNSTAR took ownership of GUM in 1988, bringing together these two strong backgrounds in creating cutting edge oral care solutions.
Today, SUNSTAR and the GUM brand continue to invest in research and development to offer powerful solutions based on solid science. We understand that gum health extends beyond oral care and that it can have a positive influence on overall health. Under the leadership of SUNSTAR, GUM is also pioneering new ways to help combat conditions such as diabetes.
The future looks bright for the brand, with technological advances offering more opportunities to innovate than ever before, and people around the world becoming more conscious of the need to take good care of their teeth and gums, to enjoy optimum health.
Helping you deliver the best possible oral care
Helping you deliver the best possible oral care
SUNSTAR believes that the state of our oral health has a deep connection to the health of our whole body. We have pioneered this idea and continue to champion it in partnership with dental and medical specialists throughout the world.
Building on a basic philosophy of prevention, innovation, and quality, GUM® invests in research and development to build solutions based on solid science that keep gums healthy for life. We understand that gum health is important beyond oral care and that it can positively influence overall health. We are leading the way with new solutions that can help address systemic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, which may be caused by poor gum health and gum disease.
We want to offer oral care professionals’ peace of mind when providing patient care. Our promise to you is to deliver advanced, holistic gum care, learning and support.
Read about the Sunstar Corporate Philosophy
