Some gum comparisons come down to flavor. This one goes deeper.
If you searched Underbrush vs Peppersmith xylitol gum, the real question isn't which brand makes the "healthier" gum.
It's this, do you want a xylitol-focused gum or a gum formulated around xylitol plus additional oral-care-related ingredients?
Peppersmith Xylitol Gum has built a recognizable UK following around sugar-free chewing, plant-based xylitol, British mint oils and a refreshingly straightforward approach.
Underbrush Xylitol Gum, made by us at Nathan & Sons (full disclosure, this is our gum), takes a broader formulation approach, pairing xylitol with hydroxyapatite, a gum base with named components, botanical resins and additional minerals depending on the flavor.
A note on naming before we go further, Underbrush is sold as "Underbrush Remineralizing Gum," and that name is brand positioning referring to its inclusion of mineral ingredients.
In this xylitol-focused comparison we refer to it as Underbrush Xylitol Gum.
Nathan & Sons has not established through finished-product clinical testing that chewing Underbrush remineralizes tooth enamel or produces a measurable dental-health outcome.
With that on the table, here's the comparison, ingredient by ingredient.
Formulations change, so always check the current label on the pack you're buying.
Underbrush Xylitol Gum vs Peppersmith Xylitol Gum Price Comparison
Here's the pricing snapshot as of August 2026 (prices shift by retailer, region and over time)
For US shoppers, note that Peppersmith is a UK brand, so American pricing depends heavily on the importer or marketplace seller.
Neither gum is a checkout-counter impulse price.
Both are priced as considered purchases, which fits, because the whole point of both brands is that you're choosing your gum on purpose.
What Peppersmith Xylitol Gum Does Well
Peppersmith knows exactly what it wants to be.
Per its current listings, the peppermint gum contains xylitol, gum base, peppermint oil, natural menthol, gum arabic, sunflower lecithin, vegetable glycerol and carnauba wax.
The xylitol is 100% plant-based and European-sourced, the peppermint is grown in Hampshire, England and the whole thing is sugar-free, aspartame-free and gluten-free.
That's a respectable, easy-to-understand profile, sugar-free gum, xylitol, British mint, chew.
Peppersmith also discloses something most gum brands don't, each piece delivers about 1 gram of xylitol.
That number matters later in this article.
And the brand deserves genuine credit for one more thing.
Its ingredient page, as reviewed in August 2026, openly explains that its gum base combines natural and man-made rubbers and that the synthetic portion contains a small amount of plastic.
Peppersmith addresses a gum-base question that many consumers may not realize they should ask and that kind of candor is worth acknowledging even in a comparison written by a competitor.
What Peppersmith buyers say
Reviews on Peppersmith's own site reflect individual opinions and experiences, not a generally expected result.
The most useful one is also the most self-aware:
"Bought for the reported benefits of Xylitol for my gums so I'm unlikely to be able to report on that for several years. But as a regular chewing gum user I find 3 or 4 last me well for the day." Anonymous, Verified Customer, peppersmith.co.uk
That reviewer deserves a medal for epistemics; they bought it for the xylitol, admit they can't verify long-term benefits and report the one thing they can actually observe, that three or four pieces cover their day.
Shorter praise shows up too ("Great gum. Just love it," per verified customer Aleksey Beytsun), along with a familiar critique from a two-star reviewer.
"Bought it as it doesn't contain aspartame but the flavour goes within seconds" Customer, peppersmith.co.uk
Hold that flavor complaint in mind.
You'll see an Underbrush reviewer make almost exactly the same one later in this article.
Two individual reviews don't establish a general result for either product or for naturally flavored gum generally, but the parallel is worth noticing.
What Underbrush Xylitol Gum Does Differently
Nathan & Sons built Underbrush around a different question; what else can realistically fit into a piece of gum?
The following ingredients appear in current Underbrush formulations.
Exact ingredients vary by flavor, so check the label on the specific package you purchase.
- Xylitol and erythritol. Two sugar alcohols commonly used in sugar-free products, including chewing gum.
- Gum base with named components: chicle, mastic, spruce, acacia, myrrh, candelilla wax, citric acid. Tree resins with a long history of traditional chewing use, blended for a firmer texture.
- Hydroxyapatite (nano and micro). A mineral very similar to the mineral that makes up most of tooth enamel and an ingredient studied in several modern oral-care formats.
- Mineral ingredients, varying by flavor. These can include calcium carbonate, dicalcium phosphate, magnesium carbonate, zinc gluconate and calcium bentonite clay. This is what the "remineralizing" positioning refers to.
- Flavor components, varying by flavor. Natural flavors, fruit powders and sweeteners such as stevia and monk fruit in certain varieties.
The label identifies gum-base and mineral components by name, giving you additional information to use when comparing formulas.
Ingredient disclosure by itself does not establish product quality or clinical effectiveness, but it does make comparison shopping easier.
One thing to be precise about before the science; the research discussed below concerns individual ingredients, generally studied in other product formats at researcher-selected concentrations.
It does not establish that any particular chewing gum, Underbrush included, produces the same clinical outcomes.
Underbrush has not been clinically tested to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure dental disease.
New to the category?
Our guide to natural chewing gum explains how these formulas differ from conventional gum.
Both Gums Use Xylitol. Here's Where the Science Actually Stands
Xylitol is the clearest overlap between these two brands and the science deserves honest handling.
A 2024 systematic review of xylitol chewing gums in the European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry found that in the ten evaluated gum studies, xylitol consumption significantly reduced caries occurrence compared with no treatment or placebo polyol gum, with the clearest effect in children who started with moderate or high caries levels.
A separate systematic review was more cautious, finding considerable variation among trials and insufficient evidence to confirm xylitol's preventive effect conclusively.
Separate from any particular ingredient, the American Dental Association notes that chewing sugar-free gum increases saliva flow, which can help reduce plaque acids and carry calcium and phosphate within the mouth.
Chewers tend to notice that mechanism in real time.
One verified Underbrush buyer, Charlie S., described his own experience this way (individual experiences vary):
"It feels good exercising my jaw while also making my mouth produce more saliva..." Charlie S., Verified Buyer, nathanandsons.com
Now, the dose caveat and here Peppersmith earns another credit.
The studies above used particular xylitol amounts and chewing frequencies.
This comparison does not establish that either gum delivers the amounts used in the cited research.
Peppersmith at least tells you its number (about 1 g per piece); for Underbrush, check the current label and don't read xylitol's presence in either gum as evidence of a particular cavity-prevention result.
For a deeper dive on the sweetener, see our guide to xylitol as a natural sweetener.
So if both gums have xylitol, does that make them equal? Not quite. The difference is what happens after xylitol.
Xylitol vs Xylitol Plus Hydroxyapatite
This is the biggest practical difference between the two formulas.
Both brands use xylitol. Underbrush also uses hydroxyapatite. Peppersmith's current peppermint gum does not list it.
Hydroxyapatite matters because tooth enamel consists primarily of calcium-phosphate minerals in the apatite family.
That structural similarity is why hydroxyapatite has drawn sustained research interest as an oral-care ingredient.
A 2024 updated systematic review and meta-analysis in the Journal of Dentistry reported that clinical evidence for fluoride-free, hydroxyapatite-containing oral-care products in reducing dental caries has expanded.
The honest asterisk; that evidence concerns products like toothpastes, mouthwashes and gels, not chewing gum and formulation, concentration and delivery method all matter.
There is, however, research looking specifically at gum.
A 2018 laboratory study in Microbial Pathogenesis tested xylitol chewing gum formulations with and without added remineralizing agents on eroded tooth samples and the group combining xylitol with hydroxyapatite showed the highest remineralization ratio of the formulations tested.
That was an experimental lab study on prepared tooth samples, not a clinical trial of any commercial product and it does not establish that Underbrush or any other hydroxyapatite gum produces the same result in a living mouth.
What this research does explain is the scientific interest in combining these two ingredients.
It does not establish that including hydroxyapatite in chewing gum provides a clinical benefit and no gum repairs cavities or replaces dental treatment.
We cover the ingredient in depth in our guide to what nano-hydroxyapatite is.
The Gum Base Difference Is Bigger Than It Looks
Think about the last packet of gum you bought. Did you actually know what "gum base" meant?
Most people don't, because labeling conventions allow the phrase to stand in for a mix of components.
This is where the two brands make different and differently honest, choices.
Peppersmith addresses the subject directly on its site.
On the page reviewed in August 2026, the company stated that its gum base combines natural and man-made rubbers and that the synthetic portion contains a small amount of plastic.
That's the brand's own published statement and publishing it took candor.
Underbrush takes the other route, rather than the generic phrase, Nathan & Sons lists base components by name and formulates the base without intentionally added synthetic plastic polymers, based on current supplier disclosures.
What Underbrush's base is actually made of
Here's the part worth slowing down for. Underbrush identifies its gum-base components by name and Nathan & Sons describes the base as plant-derived, per its current specifications and supplier documentation.
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Chicle. Sap of the sapodilla tree and the original chewing gum. Mesoamerican cultures chewed chicle for centuries before modern gum existed and it was the base of commercial gum until synthetic polymers largely replaced it in the mid-1900s.
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Mastic. Resin of the Pistacia lentiscus tree, chewed around the Mediterranean for over two thousand years.
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Spruce. Tree resin with its own place in history: spruce gum was America's first commercial chewing gum, sold in Maine in the 1840s.
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Acacia. Tree sap better known in food as gum arabic, one of the most widely used ingredients in candies and beverages.
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Myrrh. A tree resin with a long record of traditional use, including in oral preparations.
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Candelilla wax. A plant wax from the candelilla shrub, commonly used as a food coating.
- Citric acid. A commonly used food ingredient that also occurs naturally in citrus fruit. Its commercial production source can vary.
Several of these resins and materials have histories of traditional chewing or food use and that history is part of why they were chosen.
Historical use does not independently establish the safety, regulatory status, purity, or dental effects of the amounts used in the finished product; as with any food, check the label if you have allergies or sensitivities.
And the synthetic polymers in conventional gum bases are permitted food ingredients too.
The difference here is about composition, disclosure and preference, not an accusation.
Neither choice automatically makes one gum right for everyone and natural resins are not automatically better for your teeth simply because they're natural.
What the difference gives ingredient-conscious shoppers is something concrete to compare, a disclosed natural-and-synthetic blend versus a base built from named components that Nathan & Sons describes as plant-derived.
Is Peppersmith plastic-free, then?
On the Peppersmith page reviewed in August 2026, the company stated that its gum base combines natural and man-made rubbers and that the synthetic portion contains a small amount of plastic; check the company's current disclosures, because formulations and explanations can change. Is Underbrush?
Nathan & Sons formulates Underbrush gum without added synthetic plastic polymers and this is evidenced on our current supplier disclosures and the current label and product page are the authoritative source for the claim's scope.
What About Mastic, Spruce, Myrrh, and Acacia?
Underbrush combines multiple plant-derived gums and resins rather than relying on a single primary base material.
Mastic, spruce resin, myrrh, chicle and acacia have long histories of traditional chewing use across different cultures.
That history is genuinely interesting and it's part of why these resins were chosen.
It does not establish the chewing duration, safety, or dental effects of the finished Underbrush product and traditional use should never be mistaken for clinical evidence.
What the resin blend does change, by design, is the chew itself; Nathan & Sons designed the blend to provide a firmer chewing texture, though the company has not established through comparative testing that Underbrush is firmer than conventional gums generally.
Individual experiences with firmness, flavor duration and chewing time vary by flavor, storage conditions and personal preference.
What verified buyers say about Underbrush
Verified reviews reflect individual opinions about characteristics such as flavor, texture, firmness and convenience.
They do not establish that Underbrush cleans teeth, improves tooth appearance, remineralizes enamel, reduces plaque or produces any other dental-health outcome.
With that said, here's what reviewers talk about most...
"So far I've bought 2 packs going on 3 as I write this review... I enjoy all the flavors of the variety pack that I get!" Wyatt, Verified Buyer
"I kind of started out as a skeptic, but I've learned that I really really enjoy their gum." Alli, Verified Reviewer
"...enjoyable to chew throughout the day. Thank you!" Alek M., Verified Buyer
The honest flip side shows up in reviews too.
Flavor is where natural gum asks for a trade and notice this is nearly the same critique Peppersmith's two-star reviewer made earlier...
"I know the gum doesn't get its charm from the flavor, lol, flavor only hits for 5 seconds in my opinion." Teddy H., Verified Buyer
"Out of the variety pack, mint seemed to be the best, with cinnamastic being really enjoyable to me just falling short a bit on the texture/longevity side... tropic twist has got to be the best with the most consistent and comfortable chew... my jaw tends to get tired with some of the others." Jay, reviewer on nathanandsons.com
Individual reviewers describe natural-base texture and flavor differently; some prefer the firmer resin chew and shorter flavor bursts, others don't.
Experiences vary by flavor and personal preference.
Does More Ingredients Mean Better Gum?
Not automatically and this is where comparisons often become silly.
Long ingredient lists are not inherently better and short lists are not inherently better either.
What matters is why each ingredient is there.
Peppersmith's list is short because its goal is focused, replace sugary gum with a well-sourced xylitol gum.
Every ingredient serves that goal.
Underbrush's list is longer because its goal is broader: pair xylitol with hydroxyapatite, minerals and a resin base assembled around oral-care positioning.
Their inclusion does not establish that the finished gum remineralizes enamel or produces another measurable dental-health outcome, but it does mean the formula was designed around that positioning rather than around flavor delivery alone.
Two different jobs, two appropriately different labels.
For how Underbrush stacks up against other xylitol-forward gums, see our Underbrush vs Xylichew comparison and for the wider category, the 2026 guide to hydroxyapatite gums.
Which One Should You Choose?
Start with your actual priority.
Choose Peppersmith if you mainly want a straightforward sugar-free xylitol gum with British mint flavoring, a disclosed xylitol dose and its particular gum-base formulation, including both natural and synthetic rubbers.
Consider Underbrush if you want xylitol plus hydroxyapatite, named botanical resins, additional mineral ingredients and a base formulated without intentionally added synthetic plastic polymers, built from components described as plant-derived.
And can either gum, or any hydroxyapatite gum, replace toothpaste? No.
The ADA frames sugar-free gum as an adjunct to twice-daily brushing, cleaning between teeth and regular dental visits, never a substitute.
That applies to Underbrush and Peppersmith equally.
Gum can support the routine. It is not the routine.
Xylitol-First or Broader Formula?
Peppersmith and Underbrush aren't really solving the same problem.
Peppersmith presents a straightforward xylitol-focused formula and publicly discusses its xylitol amount and gum-base composition; plant-based xylitol, British mint and a disclosed dose.
Underbrush starts with xylitol and keeps going; hydroxyapatite, chicle, mastic, spruce, myrrh, acacia and additional mineral ingredients depending on the formula.
That broader ingredient strategy is the main reason someone comparing Underbrush vs Peppersmith xylitol gum may ultimately lean toward Underbrush and the focused simplicity is the reason someone else may not.
Explore Underbrush Xylitol Gum at Nathan & Sons to see whether an ingredient-focused chewing gum fits the everyday oral-care routine you're trying to build.
References
- Pienihäkkinen K, et al. "The effect of xylitol chewing gums and candies on caries occurrence in children: a systematic review." European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry, 2024. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40368-024-00875-w
- "Effectiveness of the use of xylitol chewing gum in prevention of dental caries: A systematic review." 2021. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34341229/
- American Dental Association. "Chewing Gum." Oral Health Topics. https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/chewing-gum
- Pawinska M, et al. "Clinical evidence of caries prevention by hydroxyapatite: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis." Journal of Dentistry, 2024. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0300571224005992
- Gargouri W, et al. "Coupling xylitol with remineralizing agents improves tooth protection against demineralization but reduces antibiofilm effect." Microbial Pathogenesis, 2018. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29959041/
- Nathan & Sons. Underbrush Remineralizing Gum product page, ingredient lists, pricing, and verified customer reviews. https://nathanandsons.com/products/remineralizing-gum
- Peppersmith official site, ingredient disclosures, customer reviews, and pricing (not hyperlinked per editorial policy): peppersmith.co.uk. US availability and ingredient listings referenced from major US marketplace listings, accessed August 2026.
- Prices referenced as of August 2026 from nathanandsons.com, peppersmith.co.uk, and major retailers; subject to change.
Written by the Nathan & Sons team. Published September 2026. Underbrush Xylitol Gum (sold as Underbrush Remineralizing Gum) is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Ingredient research discussed above does not establish clinical outcomes for the finished product.
This article is for general educational purposes and is not dental or medical advice. Chewing gum is not a substitute for brushing, flossing, or regular dental care. Talk to your dentist about the oral-care routine that's right for you.
