QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
SPECIFIC PROPERTIES
What makes SWISSDENT different from standard toothpastes? There are already so many toothpastes, so why do we need SWISSDENT?
As well as a gentle clean using natural enzymes, teeth are gently whitened with the latest micro-technology. Standard toothpastes are based on the principle of «scrubbing away the dirt» using abrasive ingredients like sand (silicates).
SWISSDENT has the lowest RDA (abrasion factor) compared to other tubes on the shelf.
What can SWISSDENT do better than the rest?
Whitening without damage! SWISSDENT has a patent for micronised calcium peroxide. Micronisation means that the surface area of the calcium peroxide is increased, meaning that SWISSDENT has a much larger active surface area than the competition with the maximum permitted concentration of 0.1% calcium peroxide. SWISSDENT is therefore much more effective yet gentler than standard toothpastes.
SWISSDENT micronises, i.e. we work with micro not nano elements! Nano is too small and can migrate into the tissue.
​SWISSDENT has various patents, including for Oxygard® technology. What is that?
Oxygard® is a name registered by SWISSDENT for a bleaching technology. Sodium Chlorite is used for bleaching rather than calcium peroxide (oxygen).
USE
How does SWISSDENT whitening toothpaste work?
EXTREME and GENTLE:
Using the patented SWISSDENT formula: micro-sized calcium peroxide particles push their way through enamel crystals, where colour pigments have built up. The chemical reaction splits the molecules of the discolourations, making them smaller and invisible to the naked eye.
CRYSTAL and BIOCARE:
The whitening process is based on Sodium Chlorite (ClO2).
What’s the difference between SWISSDENT EXTREME and SWISSDENT GENTLE toothpastes?
SWISSDENT EXTREME is especially suitable for teeth with strong discolouration from tobacco, tea, coffee or red wine. SWISSDENT GENTLE is suitable for mild discolouration and sensitive teeth.
All four SWISSDENT toothpastes are whitening, but who are BIOCARE and CRYSTAL intended for?
BIOCARE: hardens the dental enamel from the outside in, using «elephant grass» – an ingredient that is found in normal grass and makes sure that cows and horses don't have cavities. It is fluoride-free and therefore suitable for people with titanium implants (titanium oxidises with fluoride) and sensitive gums. Recommended for children (children can overdose on fluoride if they swallow toothpaste).
CRYSTAL: suitable for older people with enamel that has been worn away through eating and brushing so that the yellow of the tooth shows through.
It is generally said that less fluoride is better for pregnant women, so both toothpastes are suitable. BIOCARE is especially gentle on sensitive gums.
How long and how often should I use SWISSDENT toothpastes for?
Just like any other toothpaste – daily. We recommend cleaning your teeth three times a day for two minutes.
How white do teeth get?
It depends on the structure and quality of the teeth. Even in professional bleaching: No dentist can guarantee a certain degree of whitening.
​How long will it be until you can see the difference?
You will need to use at least one full tube before you see a difference. It depends on the type of discolouration, your nutrition and your cleaning habits. It also depends how deep the colour has set into the tooth (extrinsic or intrinsic). For strong discolouration, we recommend using SWISSDENT EXTREME mouthspray and SWISSDENT EXTREME whitening mouthwash to increase the effects of the toothpaste.
Another recommendation to increase the effects of SWISSDENT: before you go to bed, brush your teeth with SWISSDENT and then just spit it out rather than rinse with water. This lets the ingredients work on the surface of your teeth overnight, undisturbed by eating and drinking.
But if the discolouration is very deep, then not even a professional bleaching treatment can help.
Can I use GENTLE or EXTREME if I already have white teeth?
Yes, this will simply prevent discolouration through gentle polishing.
Can I use SWISSDENT with an electric toothbrush?
Yes, we recommend a sonic toothbrush.
TOLERABILITY
Are there any side effects?
Allergies are possible in isolated cases – like with any toothpaste. If you have allergies, you should carefully check the list of ingredients. For people with a fluoride allergy, we recommend our CRYSTAL or BIOCARE toothpastes.
Can you use SWISSDENT if you have crowns or bridges?
​Yes, you can use all of the toothpastes. SWISSDENT EXTREME can polish the ceramic or plastic, but cannot change the base colour of the material. Ask your dentist if you are not satisfied with the colour of your bridge or crown.
Does SWISSDENT damage alloys or fillings (gold/ceramic/plastic)?
No, using SWISSDENT won’t cause any damage.
Can I use SWISSDENT toothpaste if I have sensitive teeth?
​If your gums have receded, the dentine in the tooth necks will be exposed. The dentine is sensitive to heat and cold, as well as air and acids. Just like any whitening process, SWISSDENT can increase this sensitivity. The benefit of SWISSDENT is its very low concentration of the whitening agent calcium peroxide CaO2 (0.1%). This means that the risk of dentine sensitisation is low.
If you have exposed, sensitive dentine, we recommend our SWISSDENT CRYSTAL toothpaste. It covers sensitive, yellow dentine with a protective white layer. Before a professional bleaching at the dentist, you can use CRYSTAL for a couple of weeks to build up a protective layer to reduce to sensitivity and pain during the professional bleaching.
Are SWISSDENT toothpastes harmful for children?
As children are prone to swallowing a larger amount of toothpaste and therefore absorbing too much fluoride, SWISSDENT is only recommended from the age of seven like any other adult toothpaste. Children under the age of seven should use special toothpaste designed for children. Fluoride-free SWISSDENT CRYSTAL and BIOCARE are harmless for children to use.
I have an implant. Which toothpaste should I use?
Based on the latest tests, we have to recommend fluoride-free toothpaste because fluoride can corrode implant alloys – titanium. We therefore recommend SWISSDENT CRYSTAL or BIOCARE.
ABRASIVENESS & CLEANING EFFECT
Why is SWISSDENT less abrasive?
It uses enzymes and fine polishing bodies (silicates) rather than coarse abrasives. Standard toothpastes use sand or marble dust to scratch away the dirt.
But you need some abrasion for a proper clean? How can it work without?
Despite a low RDA, SWISSDENT has a high PCR (pellicle cleaning ratio). The PCR measures cleaning performance. Enzymes contribute to this high cleaning performance, as they soften plaque so it «falls» from the tooth more easily (same principle as laundry detergent).
Are enzymes harmful to dental enamel?
SWISSDENT is harmless for dental enamel, as natural enzymes are used for a gentle clean. Most toothpastes use coarse abrasives that can damage the enamel.
What do the pineapple enzymes (bromelain) and papaya enzymes (papain) in EXTREME and GENTLE do?
They help to gently loosen plaque. This frees the way for the whitening agent (CaO2), as this can move between the dental enamel crystals.
What are the silicates (fine polishing agents) in EXTREME and GENTLE and what do they do?
The micro-silicates in SWISSDENT toothpastes are natural minerals. They are used to polish the tooth’s surface.
COMPARISON OF RDA VALUES
Values under 70 RDA indicate low abrasiveness. The lower the RDA value, the more gentle the toothpaste is on the tooth enamel.
SPECIAL INGREDIENTS
What does the co-enzyme Q10 do?
It is an immune-activator and protects the gums.
What is the baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) in EXTREME and what does it do?
It neutralises aggressive acids and gently polishes the surface of the teeth.
What does the Vitamin E in SWISSDENT do?
Vitamin E helps to keep gums healthy by reducing inflammatory free radicals in the mouth, supporting healing.
What does the fluoride in SWISSDENT do?
Fluoride hardens the enamel and prevents cavities. Dentists generally prefer fluoride-containing toothpastes, and this is the standard teaching in most universities. For patients with titanium implants, we recommend toothpastes without fluoride as titanium can corrode on contact with fluoride.
DEFINITIONS & GENERAL QUESTIONS
What is «whitening»?
«Whitening» is a general term meaning «using some kind of technology to brighten teeth». In the simplest case, discolouration is manually removed using a toothbrush and toothpaste. Bleaching is the lightening of colour pigments using oxidation.
What is the difference to a professional dentist bleaching?
Dentists use much higher concentrations of oxidisation agents (up to 40% hydrogen peroxide (=H2O2)).
What is micro-technology?
Micro-technology is the use of very small particles. The smaller an ingredient is, the better it can reach the places it is intended to work. SWISSDENT GENTLE and EXTREME toothpastes contain micro-sized calcium peroxide - a highly effective whitening agent: calcium ensures better hold to the dental enamel. Micro-particles have a large surface area at a minimal volume, making them much more intensive. They are so small that they can move between the hydroxylapatite crystals in the enamel.
What is biomimetics?
Biomimetics is the study of the structure and function of biological systems that serve as models for the construction and development of ingredients. Biomimetics describes mechanisms that the body uses to make teeth.
What is remineralisation?
Remineralisation means the binding of minerals into the crystal structure of the tooth (hydroxylapatite). SWISSDENT CRYSTAL remineralises and applies a new layer to the dentine, reducing sensitivity and creating a protective film.
What are parabens?
They are actually natural preservatives, also found in apple peel to prevent the fruit from rotting. Today, certain synthetic parabens are sold and partially even banned because they cause allergic reactions.
There is a trend for black toothpaste with activated charcoal. Does it work?
No! Only pure activated charcoal works directly on the teeth! But when you mix activated charcoal with toothpaste, it starts to react (“active”) and is long deactivated by the time you get it out of the tube.
Do SWISSDENT products contain microplastics?
No.
Where is SWISSDENT made?
SWISSDENT products are 100% made and packaged in Switzerland. SWISSDENT does not have any of its own factories, but commissions specialised Swiss companies under the condition that patented recipes are followed and exclusively produced for SWISSDENT.
Why does it say SWISSDENT GmbH in Achern DE on the tube?
​The German SWISSDENT subsidiary is our official EU importer. We are required by law to state the responsible importer in the EU on the tube.
Why is SWISSDENT so expensive?
When making our products, the priority is not the cheapest possible price of ingredients, rather the effectiveness and latest studies on effectiveness. Also, everything is produced and tested in Switzerland using intricate high-tech processes.
The difference between fluorine and fluoride
Fluorides are fluorine compounds:
Fluorine, a gas, is a natural chemical element. As fluorine very quickly binds with other elements, this element is not found in nature in its pure form. When fluorine is bound with another chemical, we call it fluoride together with the name of the partner element, e.g. sodium fluoride. This means: sodium fluoride is a compound of sodium and fluorine.
Fluoride is a healthy trace element that can be found in our environment (water, air etc). Fluorine is a strong-smelling, poisonous gas. The similarity of the two terms often leads to both terms being incorrectly used synonymously, which makes many consumers concerned.