Gum facts for kids

"Gum" is a word with many different meanings! It can be something you chew, a part of your mouth, a sticky substance from plants, or even a place or a name. Let's explore the different kinds of "gum" you might hear about.

Gum in Your Mouth

What are Gums?

Your gums (also called gingiva) are the soft, pink tissues inside your mouth. They fit tightly around the bottom of your teeth. Gums help to protect the roots of your teeth from bacteria and keep them strong. It's super important to keep your gums healthy by brushing and flossing regularly. Healthy gums don't bleed when you brush.

Chewing Gum

What is Chewing Gum?

Chewing gum is a type of confectionery that you chew but usually don't swallow. It's made from a special base that isn't food, mixed with sweeteners, flavors, and softeners. People have been chewing things for thousands of years, from tree sap to plant resins. Modern chewing gum became popular in the late 1800s.

Types of Chewing Gum

• Bubble gum: This type of chewing gum is extra stretchy. It lets you blow big, fun bubbles! Bubble gum often comes in sweet, fruity flavors.
• Functional gum: Some chewing gums are made to do more than just taste good. They might have ingredients that help clean your teeth, freshen your breath, or even give you a boost of energy.
• Gum base: This is the main part of chewing gum. It's a mix of different ingredients like resins, waxes, and elastomers. These ingredients give gum its chewy texture.
• Gum industry: This refers to all the companies and people who make, sell, and distribute chewing gum around the world. It's a big business that creates many different kinds of gum.

Natural Gums

What are Vegetable Gums?

Natural gums, also called vegetable gums, are sticky substances that come from plants. They are often found in the sap of trees or in seeds. These gums can dissolve in water and become thick or gel-like. Because of this, they are used in many different products.

Common Natural Gums

• Guar gum: This gum comes from the guar bean plant. It's often used as a thickener in foods like ice cream, sauces, and baked goods. It helps make things smooth and creamy.
• Gum arabic: This sticky substance comes from the sap of the acacia tree. It has been used for thousands of years. Today, it's found in candies, soft drinks, and even some medicines. It helps keep ingredients mixed together.
• Xanthan gum: This gum is made by a special type of bacteria. It's very good at thickening liquids, even in small amounts. You might find it in salad dressings, gluten-free baked goods, and even cosmetics.

Other Meanings of Gum

Postage Stamp Gum

Have you ever licked a postage stamp to make it stick? The sticky part on the back of many stamps is a type of gum. It's usually made from a plant-based adhesive that becomes sticky when it gets wet. This allows the stamp to stay firmly on an envelope.

Places Called Gum

• Gum Springs, Arkansas: This is a small town located in the state of Arkansas in the United States. It's one of the places in the world that has "Gum" in its name.

Gum Trees

Trees with "Gum" in Their Name

Many different types of trees are called "gum trees." They often get this name because they produce a sticky sap or resin, or because of the way their wood looks.

• Gum tree (Eucalyptus): These famous trees are mostly found in Australia. They are known for their strong scent and for being the main food source for koalas. Eucalyptus trees are also grown in other warm parts of the world.
• Black gum (Nyssa sylvatica): Also known as Tupelo, this tree grows in eastern North America. It's known for its beautiful fall colors, which can be bright red or purple. Its wood is often used for making crates and flooring.
• Sweet-gum (Liquidambar): This tree is found in eastern North America and parts of Asia. It's famous for its star-shaped leaves and spiky, round seed pods. The tree produces a fragrant, sticky resin that can be used in perfumes.
• Log gum (Log gum): This term refers to a type of beehive that was traditionally made from a hollowed-out log. It was a simple way for early beekeepers to house their bees and collect honey.

Gum in Space

Astronomy and Gum

The word "Gum" also appears in the world of astronomy, often named after people who studied the stars.

• Gum (crater): This is a crater on the Moon. Craters are bowl-shaped hollows on the surface of planets or moons, usually formed when something like a meteorite crashes into them.
• Gum Nebula: This is a huge cloud of gas and dust in space. It's called an "emission nebula" because it glows brightly as its gases are energized by nearby stars. It's one of the largest nebulae known.
• Colin Stanley Gum (1924-1960): He was an Australian astronomer. He is famous for creating a catalog of nebulae, which helps scientists study these amazing cosmic clouds. The Gum Nebula is named in his honor.

See also: GUM