Update :

HAPPY TOOTH LOGO IS A “GOOD NEWS” SYMBOL
by Anonymous

Press Release: Immediate
Toothfriendly Sweets International
Bundesstrasse 29
CH-4054 Basel
Switzerland
Tel +41 61 273 77 00
Fax+ 41 612 73 77 03
Contact: Jasmin Kossenjans
Email: contact@toothfriendly.ch
Web : www.toothfriendly.com




HAPPY TOOTH LOGO IS A “GOOD NEWS” SYMBOL

ON SWEETS WHICH WILL NOT HARM TEETH


The cheerful red Happy Tooth logo on a pack of confectionery is good news for people who want to look after their teeth and prevent dental decay. It is especially helpful to those who also have concerns about their children’s oral health.

This distinctive symbol indicates that a confectionery product has been independently tested by an accredited dental institute and proved to be harmless to teeth. It is used for labelling and advertising to communicate a clear and consistent message to consumers.
A product that is labelled “sugar free” in not necessarily harmless to teeth. However, when an item carries the Happy Tooth logo, consumers know right away that it is guaranteed “toothfriendly”.

The Happy Tooth logo is the registered trademark of Toothfriendly Sweets International (TSI), a non-profit association set up in Switzerland in 1989 which now has sister organisations in other countries in Europe, in the Far East. Run by representatives of the dental profession, TSI’s purpose is to reduce the incidence of dental caries around the world by promoting dental hygiene and encouraging “toothfriendly” eating habits. It licences the Happy Tooth symbol to confectionery manufacturers and distributors whose products are found to be “toothfriendly”.

Dental cavities result from a combination of sugar and bacteria. Plaque bacteria lives in the mouth and thrives on sugar. Over a period of time, acid produced by the plaque bacteria attacks tooth enamel and, eventually, this erodes the enamel and causes dental caries. Sugar-based food and drink is therefore a major culprit in tooth decay.
To carry the Happy Tooth symbol, confectionery must be shown to be entirely safe for teeth. To this end, TSI’s testing procedure is unique. It involves monitoring any acid build-up on the teeth while sweets are actually being consumed.

In Europe, testing is undertaken within the dental departments of two universities in Switzerland and Germany. Evaluating the “toothfriendly” potential of a confectionery product involves a highly scientific procedure called the “pH-telemtry test”. This measures the plaque-pH in vivo in the mouths of individuals during consumption, and for 30 minutes afterwards. Products which do not lower plaque-pH below 5.7 can carry TSI’s trademark.

Currently, more than 60 confectionery manufacturers around the globe are licensed to use the appealing Happy Tooth logo. Most produce “toothfriendly” boiled sweets and chewing gum but the Happy Tooth symbol can also be found in certain countries on
chocolate, water-based ice cream and chewable vitamins. All these products are made with sugar substitutes plus, in some cases, intense sweeteners.

Consumers can find the Happy Tooth on a range of different boiled sweets, and chewing gums which is being sold worldwide. Products are found in health food shops, chemists, kiosks and supermarkets. Brands using the Happy Tooth include SMINT,Stimorol, Chupa Chups, Fisherman’s Friend, Neslté and Läkerol, to name just a few. **
-ends-
Date 15.10.2002
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