Is mastic gum safe? Who should take care and how to start
Yes, mastic gum is safe for most people according to a long history of clinical trials.1
You should take care when trying mastic gum if you have:
- TMJ or a sensitive jaw
- A sensitive stomach that reacts easily to new supplements
- Loose or extensive dental work
- Pre-existing conditions of the mouth, jaw, teeth, or gut
Is mastic gum safe?
Mastic gum is well tolerated in clinical use based on decades of various trials.1 Researchers used even higher doses of mastic than anyone chews casually and saw few or no negative side effects.23
It has a long history of safe medicinal use.
Is mastic gum good for you?
Yes, researchers have found that mastic gum has many positive health benefits.
It contains compounds that are antiinflammatory, antiplaque, antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antifungal.4
Who should avoid mastic gum or check with a doctor first
You should exercise caution when chewing if you have:
- TMJ: The hard, sticky nature of dried mastic resin can strain your jaw and cause soreness, and the risk is especially high for those with diagnosed TMJ or painful jaw problems. If this is you, you may want to ask a doctor if mastic gum is right for you.
Extensive dental work: also because of mastic gum’s hardness and stickiness, there is a risk of fillings and crowns sticking to the gum and being pulled loose. A dentist could evaluate the condition of your dental work.
If you have dental work concerns, we recommend reading our article on whether mastic gum is good for teeth.
- An active GI condition: while we rarely receive stomach complaints from our gum users, you may need to check with a doctor before chewing mastic gum if you have a diagnosed GI condition or a very sensitive stomach.
- Any other condition of the mouth, jaw, teeth, or gut: these body parts are what mastic gum works directly on, so those with preexisting conditions should consult a doctor first.
Is mastic gum safe during pregnancy?
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding and want to take mastic gum, ask a doctor. There isn’t yet enough research on mastic gum and pregnancy to say whether it is or isn’t safe or list any potential side effects.
The same goes for combining mastic gum with prescription medication. The information we do have on this combination is on mastic gum and ulcer medication for H. pylori and chewing mastic along with antacids for reflux.
Is mastic gum safe long term?
Neither clinical trials nor customer testimonies have reported any long-term health issues or side effects caused by mastic gum.3
The majority of our customer complaints are about the gum’s stickiness and hardness and dental work issues.
We get the occasional complaint about mild stomach issues from mastic gum, but those aren’t long term. They tend to settle as the body adjusts.
Can mastic gum cause an allergic reaction?
There have not been any documented allergic reactions from oral consumption of mastic resin.
The allergies that have been documented are contact dermatitis from the skin adhesive Mastisol and respiratory reactions to Pistacia pollens, neither of which can happen from chewing mastic resin.5
While the Pistacia lentiscus that produces mastic resin and Pistacia vera that grows pistachios are from the same genus, no oral-consumption allergy has ever been documented from mastic resin, so those with nut allergies can still chew.
How to start chewing safely
Start small: try 5-10 minute chewing sessions with softer gum nuggets. Once that’s comfortable, gradually increase your chewing duration by 5-10 minute increments and start taking larger, harder nuggets or combine firm droplets with a softer nugget.
Short sessions for the first few weeks are totally fine if that’s what’s most comfortable for you. You can read our full guide on how long to chew mastic gum by goal for more information.
Is mastic gum safe to chew every day?
Yes, many people chew mastic gum daily. It’s not only safe but encouraged for those who want to see the best results.
Beginners can chew every day as long as they start with shorter sessions and build up. If you feel significant strain on your jaw, persistent soreness, or pain, you may need to cut back to chewing gum 2-3 times a week.
When to check with a professional
See a doctor if you experience persistent stomach pain or discomfort, long-lasting jaw soreness that turns into pain, difficulty moving your jaw, or any unexplained health problem that you worry is linked to mastic gum use.
Visit our full side-effects breakdown for more information.
Starting well is the key to successful mastic gum use, so make sure to do your research beforehand. We recommend reading our side-effects page next.
References
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Alwadi, M, et al. “Mastic (Pistacia lentiscus) gum and oral health: A state-of-the-art review of the literature.” Journal of Natural Medicines Volume 77, 3(2023):430-445. researchonline.lshtm.ac.uk ↩ ↩2
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Dabos, K. J., et al. “The effect of mastic gum on Helicobactor pylori: a randomized pilot study.” Phytomedicine Volume 17, 3-4(2010): 296-299. doi.org ↩
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Kant, R., et al. “Real-world safety and effectiveness of Pistacia lentiscus (mastic gum) in patients with diabetic gastroparesis: 24-week interim analysis postintervention.” Indian Journal of Pharmacology Volume 56, 1(2024): 4-9. doi.org ↩ ↩2
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Soulaidopoulos, S., et al. “Overview of Chios Mastic Gum (Pistacia lentiscus) Effects on Human Health.” Nutrients Volume 14, 3(2022): 590. doi.org ↩
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Shaw, D. W. “Contact Dermatitis From Gum Mastic (Pistacia lentiscus) and Gum Storax (Liquidambar styraciflua) in Mastisol-Allergic Patients.” Dermatitis Volume 32, 6(2021): 430-436. doi.org ↩