Low levels of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) have been linked with periodontal inflammation, prompting interest in whether CoQ10 supplementation may support gum health. A randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial published in Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research (2015 Aug;9(8):ZC26–ZC28. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2015/13486.6291) examined whether oral CoQ10 supplementation could reduce gum inflammation when used alongside standard dental treatment.
The study included 30 adults with plaque-induced gingival inflammation. All participants underwent scaling and root planing—a deep-cleaning procedure performed below the gumline to remove plaque and calculus. Subjects were then randomly assigned to receive either oral CoQ10 supplementation (15 participants) or a placebo (15 participants).
Clinical measurements were recorded at baseline, one month, and three months after treatment. These included the plaque index (a measure of plaque accumulation at the gumline), the gingival index (an assessment of gum inflammation severity), and probing depth (a measure of periodontal tissue health around each tooth).
Both groups showed similar outcomes for plaque index and probing depth at all time points. However, the group receiving CoQ10 demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in gingival inflammation at both one and three months compared with the placebo group.
Based on these findings, the authors concluded that oral CoQ10 supplementation, when used as an adjunct to scaling and root planing, was associated with greater reductions in gingival inflammation than mechanical cleaning alone. While the study was small, it suggests a possible supportive role for CoQ10 in periodontal health when combined with standard dental care.
