i normaly don't like to chime in on others conversation, but i have a solution to your gum problem. WD-40 i've used it on gum many of times, i have four daughters and have taken gum out from there hair to there elephant bottom jeans that drag across the ground as they walk through parks, to school and through out the neigborhood. i sprayed a little WD-40 on the gum in there hair, the gum dissolved instantly and it was a great lube to drag the comb through there hair with ease no snags or tangles lol. i've used it on tar that was on the carpet in my car, and i suggested a coworker try it on her car to get the glue of the exterior of her car. she used duct tape to hold the plastic on her door where her window used to be, she tried other product's and had no luck and used the wd-40. not only did the glue come off but she bragged about the shine on her car after using it to remove the glue.
i know it sounds crazy but i've used it for sooo many different use's and been totaly happy with it. a matter of fact WD-40 had some type of contest to see who could come up with 2,000 ways to use their product.