Supposedly, gum using Xylitol helps prevent cavities. However, since you need to be continuously drinking it seems that gum would be a big hassle and might actually cause you to drink less. I know I'd be worried about inhaling the stuff.

It seems to me to be better to get your calories in a manner that lets you rinse the sugar as you must get in carbs somehow on longer rides. It would seem that you could get the residual sugar from gel rinsed with plain water better than the residue from a solid good.

Electrolytes can be taken in using pills or powder.