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
| 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