Comparing Underbrush Gum Vs. VanMan Gum
When comparing gums marketed as alternatives to conventional synthetic gum bases, the hard part usually isn't deciding that you want a shorter, simpler label.
It's figuring out what "simpler" should even mean.
Is a shorter list automatically better?
Or can a longer list make sense when each ingredient is there on purpose?
That's the whole Underbrush vs VanMan gum question in a nutshell.
VanMan takes the minimalist route. Its gum lists six ingredients: chicle gum, mastic gum, organic xylitol, grass-fed cattle bone hydroxyapatite, organic peppermint extract, and organic peppermint oil. [1]
Nathan and Sons takes the broader route with Underbrush.
The Mastic Mint flavor lists xylitol, erythritol, a chicle-based gum base, nano- and micro-hydroxyapatite, several plant resins, a handful of mineral compounds, and a botanical flavor blend. [2]
Neither philosophy is right for everyone.
So the better question is: do you want the shortest label possible, or a label with more going on?
Transparency notice: We are Nathan and Sons and we manufacture and sell Underbrush. This comparison is based on publicly disclosed ingredient information reviewed in August 2026. It is not an independent review. We did not identify a published controlled clinical trial directly comparing finished Underbrush and VanMan gum. Studies involving individual ingredients do not establish the performance of either finished product.
Underbrush Gum vs VanMan Gum at a Glance
This table compares the Underbrush Mastic Mint ingredient disclosure with VanMan's published six-ingredient list, both reviewed in August 2026. [1] [2]
Ingredient totals depend on how blends, component ingredients, and different forms of the same ingredient are counted. The figures above follow the grouping used in the disclosures reviewed and should not be interpreted as a standardized regulatory ingredient count.
Formulas change, and Underbrush flavors vary somewhat in their ingredient lists.
Always check the current packaging before you buy.
Which gum has fewer ingredients, Underbrush or VanMan?
VanMan, by any reasonable way of counting.
Its retail disclosure lists six ingredients.
Underbrush Mastic Mint lists fourteen primary entries, several of which are blends or grouped forms.
Other Underbrush flavors vary a bit, but all of them run longer than VanMan's list.
Whether that's a plus or a minus is the rest of this article.
VanMan Gum's Approach: Keep It Short
There's an obvious appeal to a six-ingredient gum.
You can read the whole label in about four seconds.
Chicle and mastic make up the chew. Xylitol sweetens it. Hydroxyapatite is the mineral ingredient. Peppermint handles the flavor. [1]
That's it. That's the list.
For shoppers who feel more comfortable when there's less to research, that simplicity is VanMan's biggest point of distinction.
Is VanMan gum vegetarian?
No.
VanMan's hydroxyapatite is listed as grass-fed cattle bone hydroxyapatite, so the gum contains an animal-derived ingredient. [1]
Some people will like that.
Consumers following vegetarian, vegan, kosher, halal, or other ingredient-specific practices should review the current label and contact the manufacturer or consult the relevant product certification before purchasing.
Underbrush's public ingredient disclosure does not identify the source of its hydroxyapatite.
The same advice applies: check the current label and contact Nathan and Sons if sourcing matters to you. [2]
Underbrush Gum's Approach: A Bigger Cast
Nathan and Sons asks a different question.
Not "how few ingredients can we use?" but "which disclosed resins, minerals, sweeteners, and flavor ingredients do we want in one piece of gum?"
Here's the current Underbrush Mastic Mint ingredient list: [2]
- Xylitol
- Erythritol
- Chicle and candelilla wax
- Mastic gum
- Spruce gum
- Acacia gum
- Myrrh gum
- Nano- and micro-hydroxyapatite
- Calcium carbonate
- Calcium bentonite clay
- Magnesium carbonate
- Zinc gluconate
- A terpene blend containing menthone, carvone, and cineole
That's a longer label than VanMan's, no question.
But a longer list isn't the same thing as a random one.
It just reflects a different set of choices about what goes into the gum.
For more on how Nathan and Sons thinks about these ingredients, see our guide to xylitol gum.
Is a Shorter Ingredient Gum List Healthier?
Not necessarily.
Ingredient-count shopping is everywhere these days. You pick up two packs, one says six and one says fourteen, and the six feels cleaner.
But the count alone doesn't tell you what's in the gum or why.
Think about salad.
A bowl with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, avocado, seeds, herbs, and olive oil has more ingredients than a bowl of plain lettuce.
Nobody calls the plain lettuce the healthier salad.
The same logic applies here.
What the ingredients are, how the product fits your routine, and your own dietary needs matter more than the number on the label.
A short list and a long list are two different approaches, not a ranking.
Where the Two Formulas of Underbrush and VanMan Gum Overlap
Despite the different philosophies, Underbrush and VanMan share more than you'd expect.
Both list xylitol.
Both list hydroxyapatite.
Both list mastic gum.
Both use a chicle-based gum base and position themselves as alternatives to conventional synthetic gum. [1] [2]
So this isn't a "plant resin vs. conventional" debate.
It's a "how far past the basics do you want to go" debate.
Do both Underbrush and VanMan contain xylitol?
Yes.
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol used to sweeten a lot of sugar-free gum, and it appears on both current ingredient lists.
Xylitol has been examined in numerous chewing-gum studies, although study results involving other formulations do not establish how either finished product performs.
A 2025 systematic review compared clinical studies of xylitol gum with other polyol gums, and the authors framed xylitol gum as something to use alongside brushing, never instead of it. [3]
Check out our deeper guide to xylitol if you're curious.
Do both gums contain hydroxyapatite?
Yes, but described differently.
Hydroxyapatite is a calcium-phosphate mineral chemically similar to the mineral component of tooth enamel. [4]
VanMan lists grass-fed cattle bone hydroxyapatite. [1]
Underbrush lists nano and micro-hydroxyapatite without identifying a source. [2]
Nano-hydroxyapatite has been studied in dental research for a couple of decades.
A 2014 literature review described it as a biomimetic material, and a 2022 scoping review examined research on it related to early dental caries and called for more well-designed clinical studies. [4] [5]
Those studies examined the ingredient in other formats and settings. They do not establish the performance of either finished gum.
We have more on this in its comparison of nano-hydroxyapatite and fluoride.
Mastic Gum
Mastic is a resin from the Pistacia lentiscus tree, chewed for centuries before anyone invented foil wrappers.
Both gums list it. Mastic has been examined in published research, including a small 2003 pilot study, but in settings and formulations unrelated to either product. [6]
Please check out our guide to mastic gum or a fun read on what mastic gum tastes like if you're interested in learning more.
Where Underbrush Keeps Going
After xylitol, hydroxyapatite, chicle, and mastic, VanMan adds peppermint and stops.
Underbrush keeps going.
The Mastic Mint formula adds spruce, acacia, and myrrh resins, plus calcium carbonate, calcium bentonite clay, magnesium carbonate, zinc gluconate, erythritol, and a terpene flavor blend. [2]
That's the difference in a sentence.
It does not mean more ingredients produce better dental outcomes. It means Underbrush takes a wider formulation approach.
Curious about the extra resins? We have articles on spruce tree gum, acacia gum, and myrrh gum.
Similarities of Underbrush and VanMan, The Gum Base
This is where the two brands look most alike.
VanMan's base is chicle and mastic. [1]
Underbrush's base is chicle alongside mastic, spruce, acacia, myrrh, and candelilla wax. [2]
Are Underbrush and VanMan plastic-free?
Both brands describe their gum bases as plastic-free. It's important to note that Underbrush contains no aspartame, sucralose, or sugar. [1] [2]
These statements reflect manufacturer representations. They were not independently verified for this comparison.
If you want the backstory on resin-based gum bases, see what natural gum is and why it's expensive.
Does Chewing Gum Replace Brushing and Flossing?
No.
Not Underbrush, not VanMan, not any gum.
Neither product is a replacement for brushing, flossing, routine dental checkups, or anything your dentist recommends.
What chewing does do is stimulate saliva flow. That's a well-established physiological effect of chewing, not a claim about any specific product. [7][8]
It's one reason a lot of people reach for gum after a meal when a toothbrush isn't handy.
It is not a reason to skip the toothbrush later.
Okay, But What's It Like to Chew Underbrush Remineralizing Gum?
Among the customer reviews selected for this article, flavor duration and texture were recurring subjects.
And the reviewers were refreshingly honest about both.
Kali H. (Verified Buyer, 5 stars) put it bluntly: "I love all the flavors for about 1 whole minute until it loses the flavor." [9]
Lisa L. (Verified Buyer, 5 stars) said something similar, with a twist: "Though the initial flavor fades pretty quickly, the texture of the gum remains remarkably chewable for a long, long time." [9]
These reviewers described a strong initial flavor that faded relatively quickly while the gum remained chewable.
Several of the selected reviewers commented favorably on that texture.
Kristian W. (Verified Buyer, 5 stars), who said it took years of Instagram ads before finally trying it, described the chew this way: "The texture gets better the more you chew it. Flavor is hard to describe … When the mint flavor wears off, it still tastes clean." [9]
Jay (5 stars), who tried the variety pack, said Tropic Twist "has got to be the best with the most consistent and comfortable chew, longer lasting flavor and the flavor itself is decent and even has a slightly minty/fresh finish." [9]
These selected reviewers generally described a relatively brief initial flavor and a longer-lasting chew. This selection is not a statistical or representative analysis of all customer reviews.
Selected Underbrush Customer Review Excerpts
"I kind of started out as a skeptic, but I've learned that I really really enjoy their gum."
Alli, Verified Reviewer, 5 stars
"I love it, my children love it, and it's so relieving to know that we aren't chewing plastic!"
Jillianne E., Verified Buyer, 5 stars
"It's replaced all other gum, I can't go back."
Kristian W., Verified Buyer, 5 stars
"This gum is 5-stars hands down!"
Ix M., Verified Buyer, 5 stars
These excerpts were selected by Nathan and Sons and should not be interpreted as representative of every customer's experience. They are drawn from customer reviews posted on the Nathan and Sons website in August 2026, trimmed for length; "Verified Buyer" and "Verified Reviewer" labels reflect the review platform's designations. They reflect individual opinions about flavor, texture, and enjoyment. Individual experiences vary, and customer reviews are not evidence of product performance.
So, Is Underbrush Better Than VanMan Gum?
There is no universal answer because the ingredient disclosures alone do not establish that either finished product is clinically superior.
VanMan has a simpler six-ingredient formula. Underbrush has a broader list of resins, minerals, and flavor ingredients.
Which you prefer is personal preference.
Here's how it tends to shake out.
VanMan Gum may fit you if:
- You want the shortest possible ingredient list
- Six easy-to-recognize ingredients appeal to you
- You prefer cattle-bone-derived hydroxyapatite
- Peppermint is the only flavor you need
- You'd rather not have a broader mineral-and-resin blend
That's a coherent philosophy, and a short label does make evaluation easier.
Underbrush Gum may fit you if:
- You want xylitol and hydroxyapatite with additional plant resins
- You're interested in both nano- and micro-hydroxyapatite
- You like a formula with multiple plant gums (mastic, spruce, acacia, myrrh)
- You prefer a formula whose published ingredient disclosure does not identify its hydroxyapatite as cattle-bone-derived
- You want several flavor options
- You want a gum without aspartame or sucralose (per manufacturer)
These differences distinguish the formulas. They do not establish that either finished product is clinically superior or produces a particular dental-health outcome.
Underbrush Gum or VanMan Gum: Short List or Long List?
It comes down to how you define a well-made gum.
VanMan's answer is six ingredients. Chicle. Mastic. Xylitol. Hydroxyapatite. Peppermint extract. Peppermint oil.
Nathan and Sons' answer is broader. Underbrush starts with several of the same building blocks and adds more plant resins, mineral compounds, and flavor ingredients.
Simple is good.
A longer list can be good too, when you know what's on it.
Based on the disclosures reviewed in September 2026, the two products offer distinct ingredient profiles. Those differences do not demonstrate that either finished product repairs enamel, prevents disease, or clinically outperforms the other.
Learn More About Underbrush Remineralizing Gum
Review our current Underbrush ingredient list, available flavors, usage directions, and product information here at Nathan and Sons.
Have questions? Our Nathan and Sons FAQ page is a good place to start.
Underbrush is a confectionery chewing gum and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or to replace brushing, flossing, professional dental examinations, or dental treatment. Research discussed above evaluates individual ingredients in other formulations and research settings; it does not establish that either finished chewing-gum product produces any particular dental-health outcome or clinically outperforms the other. Customer reviews reflect individual opinions and experiences and are not evidence of product performance. Ingredient information reflects manufacturer disclosures reviewed in August 2026 and is subject to change.
References
- VanMan's Chewing Gum. Retail product listing with published ingredient list, Amazon.com. Reviewed August 2026. https://www.amazon.com/Remineralizing-Chewing-Grass-Fed-Hydroxyapatite-Peppermint/dp/B0FMC8M6QN
- Nathan and Sons. Underbrush Mastic Mint ingredient disclosure, product page. Reviewed August 2026. https://nathanandsons.com/products/remineralizing-gum
- Söderling E, Pienihäkkinen K. Specific effects of xylitol chewing gum on mutans streptococci levels, plaque accumulation and caries occurrence: a systematic review. BMC Oral Health. 2025;25:1275. doi:10.1186/s12903-025-06602-1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12305977/
- Pepla E, Besharat LK, Palaia G, Tenore G, Migliau G. Nano-hydroxyapatite and its applications in preventive, restorative and regenerative dentistry: a review of literature. Annali di Stomatologia. 2014;5(3):108–114. PMID 25506416. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4252862/
- Anil A, Ibraheem WI, Meshni AA, Preethanath RS, Anil S. Nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAp) in the remineralization of early dental caries: a scoping review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022;19(9):5629. doi:10.3390/ijerph19095629. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9102186/
- Takahashi K, Fukazawa M, Motohira H, Ochiai K, Nishikawa H, Miyata T. A pilot study on antiplaque effects of mastic chewing gum in the oral cavity. Journal of Periodontology. 2003;74(4):501–505. doi:10.1902/jop.2003.74.4.501. https://doi.org/10.1902/jop.2003.74.4.501
- Dodds MWJ. The oral health benefits of chewing gum. Journal of the Irish Dental Association. 2012;58(5):253–261. PMID 23573702. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23573702/
- American Dental Association. Chewing Gum. ADA Oral Health Topics. https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/chewing-gum
- Nathan and Sons. Customer reviews of Underbrush gum, published August 14–20, 2026. https://nathanandsons.com/pages/reviews
