Gum base is an ingredient used in chewing gum and bubble gum that provides the basic textural and masticatory properties of the gum. It is a non-nutritive, non-digestible, water-insoluble masticatory delivery system used to carry sweeteners, flavors, and any other substances in chewing gum and bubble gum. Gum base is made of a combination of food-grade polymers, waxes, and softeners that give it the texture desired by consumers and enable it to effectively deliver sweetness, flavor, and various other benefits, including dental benefits. The most commonly used gum bases on the market today are petroleum-derived polymers such as butadiene-styrene, polyvinyl acetate, polyethylene, paraffin, and petroleum waxes. Gum bases for chewing gum are different from those for bubble gum, with the latter formulated with the ability to blow bubbles. Bubble gum usually contains 15–20% gum base, while chewing gum contains 20–25% gum base and sugar-free chewing gum contains 25–30% gum base. Large chewing gum manufacturers generally produce their own gum base in-house while small chewing gum producers usually buy gum base.