Science · Which Enzymes Remove Plaque?
Which Enzymes Remove Plaque?
Different enzymes act on different parts of the plaque structure, a multi enzyme system covers more of it than any single enzyme.
Plaque is not a single, uniform substance, it is a biofilm built from bacteria, a sticky polysaccharide matrix, and trapped protein based stain. Because these components have different chemical structures, no single enzyme can act on all of them equally well. That is why advanced enzyme toothpastes use an enzyme cascade: several enzymes, each suited to a different part of the plaque structure, working together in one formula.
Mechanism
Enzymes used across the Das Experten enzyme toothpaste range
| Enzyme | Target |
|---|---|
| Dextranase | Dextran polysaccharide matrix that holds biofilm together |
| Invertase | Sucrose substrate, converted into smaller sugars for the cascade |
| Glucose oxidase | Supports mild oxygen based (oxidative) cleaning chemistry |
| Papain | Protein based surface stain film |
| Bromelain | Protein based surface stain film, complementary to papain |
| Lysozyme | Bacterial cell walls (used in TERMO 39°'s thermoactivated cascade) |
Benefits
- A multi enzyme cascade covers more of the plaque and stain structure than a single enzyme formula.
- Each enzyme's role is mechanistically distinct, so the cascade is additive rather than redundant.
Limitations
- Enzymes assist brushing; they do not replace correct brushing technique or interdental cleaning.
- Enzyme activity depends on formulation stability, pH and, for thermoactivated formulas, temperature during use.
Comparison
INNOWEISS uses a five enzyme cascade (dextranase, invertase, glucose oxidase, papain, bromelain) built for daily biofilm and stain film management. TERMO 39° is a thermoactivated enzyme toothpaste concept using papain, lysozyme and dextranase tuned to become more active at body temperature (39 °C).
FAQ
Is there one single "best" plaque removing enzyme?
No, plaque has multiple structural components (a polysaccharide matrix and protein based stain film), so a multi enzyme cascade addresses more of the structure than any single enzyme.
What is lysozyme's role?
Lysozyme acts on bacterial cell walls and is used in TERMO 39°'s thermoactivated enzyme cascade alongside papain and dextranase.
Does temperature affect enzyme activity in toothpaste?
Yes, TERMO 39° is designed around the idea that its enzyme cascade becomes more active as it warms to body temperature during brushing.
Related
The Science hub · Dextranase in Toothpaste · Papain vs Bromelain · INNOWEISS product page · TERMO 39° product page