If you're an obsessive gum chewer like me, you may be discouraged by some of the conventional gum on the market. Between the sugar, plastic gum bases, and questionable ingredients that you may not want to put anywhere near your mouth, consider switching exclusively to natural 1-ingredient alternatives that offer benefits beyond oral health. Here are my favorites! Mastic gum Mastic gum is a natural resin harvested from the mastic tree ( Pistacia lentiscus ), traditionally grown in Greece. People have used it for centuries as a chewing gum and natural remedy. Mastic contains compounds with antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties and has been studied for digestive and oral health, including its potential effects on H. pylori . Mastic is a harder, firmer chew than some other natural gums, making it a good choice if you want more of a workout for your jaw. Many use it to build up their jaw muscles. Frankincense Gum Frankincense gum is a fragrant resin collected f...