Effectiveness of Liquid Toothpaste Containing Coenzyme Q10 in Reducing Dental Plaque and Gingivitis: A Crossover Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

AIM: To compare the effectiveness of liquid and cream toothpastes containing Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in reducing dental plaque and gingivitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized controlled crossover clinical trial recruited 30 dental students aged 18-24 years. The study consisted of two phases (each lasting 1 week) separated by a 2-week washout period. During phase I, group A used liquid toothpaste, while group B used cream toothpaste; in phase II, the groups switched products. All participants used their assigned dentifrice with the modified bass brushing technique. Bleeding on probing (BOP), gingival index (GI), and plaque index (PI) were recorded at baseline (T0) and after 1 week (T1) in each phase. Patient satisfaction was assessed at T1 in each phase. RESULTS: Use of liquid toothpaste resulted in significant reductions in BOP (40.8 ± 18.57 to 35.05 ± 18.17), GI (1.84 ± 0.20 to 1.79 ± 0.23), and PI (89.32 ± 10.79 to 85.84 ± 14.16) (all p < 0.05). Cream toothpaste significantly decreased BOP (45.80 ± 25.32 to 38.83 ± 17.15) and PI (88.28 ± 11.43 to 84.78 ± 13.82) but did not significantly affect GI. For patient satisfaction, the cream formulation was consistently preferred over the liquid, particularly for cleaning effectiveness, ease of use, aroma, and purchase intention, whereas gum health and absence of irritation were rated similarly. CONCLUSION: Both formulations reduced plaque and gingivitis, supporting the antioxidative role of CoQ10, regardless of toothpaste type. Liquid toothpaste may be considered an effective option for daily oral hygiene. Consideration of user acceptability is therefore important in the future development of novel dentifrice formulations. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Coenzyme Q10-enriched liquid dentifrices provide comparable benefits to traditional cream formulations for controlling plaque and gingivitis, thus expanding options for home oral care. At the same time, patient acceptability should be considered in the development of future dentifrice formulations. How to cite this article: Buranasin P, Nantakeeratipat T, Thongsiri C, et al. Effectiveness of Liquid Toothpaste Containing Coenzyme Q10 in Reducing Dental Plaque and Gingivitis: A Crossover Randomized Controlled Trial. J Contemp Dent Pract 2025;26(11):1041-1046.