Flavoured toothpicks vs chewing gum: which one actually makes sense?
24 October 2026
Chewing gum has had a good run. It's been the default "something in my mouth" option for about a century. But flavoured toothpicks (or flavored toothpicks, if you spell like an American) are quietly taking its spot, and not just because they look cooler.
Here's an honest side-by-side. We make toothpicks, so yes, we're biased. We'll try to keep it fair anyway.
Sugar
A lot of regular gum is loaded with sugar, and the sugar-free kind swaps it for sweeteners. Either way, you're chewing on something that's designed to be sweet.
A flavoured toothpick is a piece of wood with flavour in it. No sugar crash, nothing to swallow, nothing to digest. You get the taste without the snack.
Mess and waste
Gum has to end up somewhere. Under a desk, on a pavement, stuck to the bottom of your shoe. Most modern gum bases are made from synthetic polymers, which is a fancy way of saying it doesn't really break down.
Stoopid toothpicks are 100% natural birchwood and biodegradable. When you're done, it goes in the bin like any other bit of wood. No wrapper graveyard in your pocket either.
How it looks
Loud gum chewing in a meeting is a crime against everyone in the room. A toothpick between your lips is quiet, and somehow makes you look like you know something nobody else does.
Chew one at your desk, after dinner, or at a party where you don't know anyone. Nobody's pulling you aside for a talk.
How long the flavour lasts
Gum flavour tends to fade after a few minutes, and then you're just chewing rubber. A flavoured toothpick gives you a hit of flavour up front, and you can grab another one whenever you want. Our tip: let it sit for 10 to 15 seconds before you start chewing.
So which one wins?
If you want to blow bubbles, gum wins. Fair's fair. For everything else (fresh breath after a meal, something to fidget with, a habit that doesn't leave a mess) flavoured toothpicks make more sense.
Start with Mad Mint if you're replacing gum for fresh breath. Go Classic Cinnamon if you want something warmer and spicier.