mastiques

Mastiques is the French plural for mastique, a term used to refer to chewing gum. In everyday French, a single piece is described as un mastique and several pieces as des mastiques. The word derives from the verb mastiquer, meaning to chew, and from the activity of mastication.

The concept of chewing gum has ancient roots, but in modern French the word mastique began to denote commercially produced chewing gum in the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, mastiques is commonly found in French-language packaging, advertising, and everyday speech to describe chewing gum in general.

Composition and forms typically describe mastiques as a product made from a gum base, sweeteners, flavorings, and softeners. Modern formulations may be sugar-containing or sugar-free, with sugar-free gums often using polyols such as xylitol or sorbitol and marketed for dental health benefits. They are sold in various shapes and packaging, including sticks, rings, or slabs, and are intended to be chewed and discarded after use.

Health, cultural, and environmental considerations accompany mastiques. The dental impact depends on formulation and use; sugar-containing gums can contribute to tooth decay, while sugar-free options may offer cavity-prevention benefits when combined with good oral hygiene. Used mastiques can contribute to litter and environmental concerns, and in some places there are restrictions or bans on chewing gum in public spaces.

See also: chewing gum, mastication, dental health.