Sunstar: Improving Global Health, One Mouth At A Time
Offering quality oral care solutions under the GUM and Butler brands, Sunstar Americas, Inc. continues its 90+ year legacy of excellence
Since its founding nearly a century ago, Sunstar Americas, Inc. has been a respected leader in the design, manufacture, and distribution of high-quality oral healthcare products. Sunstar also has long taken an active role in the worldwide advancement of oral health. By educating dental professionals about the link between oral and systemic health, sponsoring and supporting the work of professional organizations, and investing in research and development of clinically superior products for dentistry, the company has demonstrated continuous commitment to improving oral and overall healthcare.
Sunstar’s story has 2 beginnings, the first when Dr. John O. Butler founded his company in 1923. At that time, Dr. Butler, a periodontist from Chicago, IL, introduced a groundbreaking new toothbrush. With 2 rows, 12 tufts, and a wide handle, the design answered dental professionals’ need for a fine-quality toothbrush that would enhance oral hygiene. Unlike other models at that time, which frequently were large, bulky, and ineffective, Dr. Butler’s toothbrush could reach all the way to the back of the mouth to deliver optimal cleaning. Thanks to his dedication to quality and innovation, the John O. Butler Company—and its Butler and GUM brands—soon began to thrive.
Meanwhile, in Japan, Sunstar, founded by businessman Kunio Kaneda in 1932, had begun manufacturing bicycle parts and rubber glue for puncture repair. Sunstar realized that the metal tubes it used for its glue products also could be used to package toothpaste, which, until then, had generally been sold in powder form. The company went on to sell its first tubes of toothpaste in 1946, a move that would forever transform the oral care industry.
In 1988, Sunstar, by then a leading manufacturer of consumer health products, took ownership of the John O. Butler Company and the GUM brand, marking the union of 2 pioneering legacies in oral care solutions. Sunstar’s strength and experience in manufacturing, research, and development, coupled with Butler’s original concept of product innovation and complete dedication to the dental profession, drove the company’s ability to grow, prosper, and serve its customers. Today, the John O. Butler Company is known as Sunstar Americas, Inc., and it continues to use the well-known GUM and Butler brand names for all its oral care products.
Sunstar Americas, Inc. sees a bright future for professional and consumer oral care, as awareness of the importance of good oral hygiene continues to increase worldwide. With technological advances in oral care growing at an accelerated rate, the company is well-positioned to maintain its mission of enhancing the health and well-being of people everywhere.
Interdental Picks
For healthy gums and a great-looking smile, GUM Soft-Picks offer an easy and convenient way to effectively remove food and plaque between teeth and massage gums at home or on the go.
GUM SOFT-PICKS ORIGINAL
Whether you’re stuck in traffic, sitting at your desk, or just about anywhere else, GUM Soft-Picks Original interdental picks are a convenient, easy way to give your teeth and gums a quick cleaning.
These gentle interdental picks are designed to facilitate the cleaning of areas where dental plaque most frequently accumulates. Featuring 76 soft rubber bristles with an easy-touse handle, GUM Soft-Picks Original easily fit between teeth and around orthodontic devices. Studies show that GUM Soft-Picks remove as much dental plaque as traditional floss and are clinically proven to reduce bleeding as well as gingivitis by 33% after 6 weeks of use. Each order comes with a slim, on-the-go case for storing in a purse, pocket, or backpack.
GUM SOFT-PICKS FOR WIDER SPACES
A different spin on the No. 1 dentist and hygienist-recommended product, GUM Soft-Picks for Wider Spaces feature 25% wider bristles to clean food and dental plaque from larger interdental spaces while massaging the gums. These picks include a convenient on-the-go case.
GUM SOFT-PICKS ADVANCED
Like GUM Soft-Picks Original, GUM Soft-Picks Advanced are perfect for at-home or on-the-go cleaning. What makes these picks stand out, however, is that they’re crafted with a long, curved, ergonomic handle that allows for a deeper reach and pinpoint precision, improving whole-mouth access and ensuring a better cleaning experience. They also feature 76 flexible and gentle synthetic rubber bristles that get between teeth to free interdental spaces of food particles, dental plaque, and biofilm, while simultaneously massaging gums to increase blood flow and promote gingival health.
GUM SOFT-PICKS COMFORT FLEX MINT
Introduce an invigorating fresh mint flavor to any oral care regimen with dentist- and hygienist-recommended GUM Comfort Flex Mint Soft-Picks. In addition to their refreshing mint flavor, these picks feature 76 soft rubber bristles for an effective and comfortable clean, an ergonomic wide grip, and a flex zone for increased control and mobility, as well as a convenient on-the-go case. Flossers Small enough to fit into a purse, pocket, or travel kit, Sunstar’s GUM flossers give patients a great interdental cleaning anywhere, any time.
GUM PROFESSIONAL CLEAN FLOSSERS
Perfect for on-the-go cleaning, GUM Professional Clean flossers feature an ergonomically shaped handle and shred-resistant, mint-flavored GUM Eez-Thru Dental String Floss to boost oral hygiene. The dental floss used with each of these flossers is designed to be extra strong for a complete cleaning without shredding or sagging. GUM Professional Clean flossers also have a special wax coating to make flossing in tight interdental spaces comfortable and virtually effortless.
GUM DUAL TECHNIQUE FLOSSERS
Thanks to a special 2 flosser head design, GUM Dual Technique flossers let patients clean their entire mouth with just one flosser. They feature shred-resistant, mint-flavored GUM Twisted dental floss, which efficiently covers 30% more surface area compared to single-strand floss and helps patients remove more plaque in less time.
GUM COMFORT SLIDE FLOSSERS
Specially designed to slide between even the tightest interdental spaces, GUM Comfort Slide Flossers are made with slippery yet shred-resistant, mint-flavored GUM dental floss for a comfortable and efficient clean.
GUM ADVANCED CARE FLOSSERS
Featuring Vitamin E and a fluoride coating, GUM Advanced Care flossers work to soothe and comfort gums while strengthening tooth enamel and discouraging decay. These flossers come preloaded with shred-resistant, mint-flavored GUM dental floss that has a satin-like finish, allowing it to gently slip between teeth and below the gumline to disrupt plaque. A wider, F-shaped ribbed grip creates a more comfortable hold for enhanced precision and maneuverability.
GUM ANGLED FLOSSERS
With a molded, angled Y-shaped head, GUM Angled flossers are ideal for precision cleaning between hardto-reach back teeth. These flossers are pre-loaded with shred-resistant GUM Eez-Thru Floss, which is mint flavored and has a satin-like finish that allows it to gently slip between teeth and below the gumline. Toothbrushes Sunstar offers a variety of clinically proven toothbrushes designed to meet the needs of all patients.
GUM TECHNIQUE DEEP CLEAN TOOTHBRUSH
The GUM Technique Deep Clean toothbrush features a unique QuadGrip that makes it natural to hold with the proper technique. Whether left- or right-handed, or brushing the upper or lower teeth, the handle intuitively encourages patients to adapt to a 45-degree angle. The bristles’ fine tapered ends are narrower and more flexible than any others, allowing them to reach deep between gums and teeth. A bi-level, second layer of bristles in the center of the brush cleans exposed tooth surfaces.
GUM TRAVEL TOOTHBRUSH
Regular and thorough oral hygiene is as essential during travel as it is at home. The GUM Travel toothbrush features a compact, tri-fold design that makes it easy to maintain good dental hygiene and fresh breath. Simply fold the brush head into the handle to cover it for clean, convenient storage. The brush’s multi-level bristles (which are coated with a patented GUM antibacterial agent that inhibits the growth of germs between uses) reach deep between teeth and a tongue cleaner gently removes odor-causing bacteria. Pediatric Oral Care Featuring collaborations with leading companies like Crayola and Mattel, Sunstar’s GUM pediatric oral care products provide a colorful way to engage and educate children about the importance of twice-daily brushing.
GUM BARBIE TOOTHBRUSHES
Bringing together the beloved toy icon and GUM’s dentist-recommended toothbrush design, GUM Barbie toothbrushes inspire children to be the healthiest, best version of themselves. Designed to be gentle and comfortable on young gums and teeth while offering a thorough, irritation-free clean, the oscillating brush head helps kids attain outstanding dental hygiene by disrupting plaque buildup below the gumline. GUM Barbie toothbrushes come with 1 battery and are available in 4 fun designs: “Imagine Big,” “Fearless,” “No Limit,” and “Dream It, Do It.”
CRAYOLA TWISTABLES TOOTHBRUSH BY GUM
With the innovative and interactive Crayola Twistables toothbrush by GUM, just twist the green knob on the handle to extend the compact brush head for a fun and functional cleaning experience. The brush also includes a convenient antibacterial cap and stand to keep it from rolling off the sink, and the bristles have built-in antibacterial properties to inhibit germ growth. When it’s time for vaction or a sleepover, simply pop the cap on top to cover the brush. In addition, Crayola Twistables’ by GUM teaches children the “sweet spot” for optimal toothpaste placement thanks to the colored, center soft bristles that show kids just where to place their toothpaste and how much is needed.
CRAYOLA TRAVEL TOOTHBRUSH BY GUM
The Crayola Travel toothbrush by GUM is a fun, colorful way to encourage brushing anytime, anywhere. This crayon-shaped brush’s unique design encourages engagement and better brushing: just twist the body and insert the brush into the cap, and it’s ready to go. Soft, antibacterial bristles help prevent plaque buildup and are gentle on gums, and the compact head is ideal for smaller mouths.
CRAYOLA DEEP CLEAN TOOTHBRUSH BY GUM
Brighter Colors, Better Reach, Deeper Clean—The Crayola Deep Clean Toothbrush by GUM is proven to reach better interproximally, thanks to ultra-soft, tapered bristles that go farther between teeth for a deeper clean. This brush also offers a thumb grip and triangular-shaped handle to improve control and encourage brushing at a 45-degree angle, a compact head designed for small mouths, as well as a handy suction cup bottom that provides easy access and upright storage. Available in 4 bright colors to help make brushing fun, children ages 4 to 9 can use the Crayola Deep Clean toothbrush by GUM twice a day to set themselves up for a lifetime of good oral health.
CRAYOLA POWER TOOTHBRUSH BY GUM
A fun and motivating battery-operated toothbrush for children 5 to 10 years old, the Crayola Power toothbrush by GUM features oscillating bristle action and a small head size perfect for keeping tiny mouths clean. It’s also designed to fit small hands, making it easier for children to hold while brushing. The toothbrush stands up on its own due to the suction cup base, which reduces countertop clutter, while the ventilated cap keeps the brush head dry, clean, and protected during travel. To make twice-a-day brushing even more fun, the Crayola Power toothbrush by GUM is offered in 4 vibrant Crayola colors and includes 75 stickers so kids can decorate and personalize their brush.
CRAYOLA TIMER LIGHT TOOTHBRUSH BY GUM
Many professional organizations worldwide, including the American Dental Association (ADA), endorse a 2-minute minimum brushing time for effective dental cleaning and plaque removal. Unfortunately, many children and their caregivers brush for less than 1 minute. The Crayola Timer Light toothbrush by GUM lights the way to proper brushing technique and a lifetime of good oral health. Available in green, blue, red, and purple, the GUM Crayola Timer Light toothbrush’s LED lights illuminate the entire brush and flash for 60 seconds, indicating the minimum time to brush teeth in one jaw before moving to the other. The brush’s soft, Dome Trim bristles are gentle enough for children’s teeth and gums yet provide thorough cleaning below the gumline. A narrow, tapered head likewise comfortably reaches the back of the mouth. For added convenience, the Crayola Timer Light toothbrush by GUM comes with a battery and stands up on its own, reducing countertop clutter and keeping the brush head dry and clean.
GUM MONSTERZ TOOTHBRUSH (AGES 5+)
These friendly monster-themed toothbrushes engage and excite little ones, which makes brushing fun and improves hygiene compliance. The medium-sized brush head and TPE handle are specifically designed for older children (ages 5+) and include a thumb pad for a comfortable grip. Additionally, soft, Dome Trim bristles gently and effectively remove plaque above and below the gumline, while center, colored bristles help emphasize a smaller amount of toothpaste for kids. The suction cup base also holds the toothbrush upright, which ensures bristles stay dry and clean.
GUM MONSTERZ TOOTHBRUSH (AGES 2+)
Also available are GUM Monsterz toothbrushes for toddlers (ages 2+). These brushes feature the same fun Monsterz designs but with a small-sized brush head and handle that fits perfectly in tiny mouths and hands. FOR MORE INFORMATION: 800.528.8537 us-professional.gumbrand.com
