There is a link between deficiency of CoQ10 and gum disease. Research appearing in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research (2015 Aug;9(8):ZC26-8. doi: 10.7860/JCDR/2015/13486.6291. Epub 2015 Aug 1) looked at CoQ10 supplementation and whether it could be useful to reduce inflammation in gums when taken in conjunction with scaling and rootplaning. Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning below the gumline used to treat gum disease.
The study was a randomized, double-blind, controlled, parallel group design clinical trial. Thirty subjects with plaque induced gingival inflammation were randomly divided into two groups with 15 subjects receiving CoQ10 and 15 receiving a placebo. The plaque index, gingival index and probing depth were recorded at the beginning of the study, and at one month and three months after the scaling and root planing. Plaque index is the measurement of plaque at the gum line. The gingival indesx is A measure of periodontal disease based on the severity and location of the lesion. The probing depth is a measurement around a tooth in order to establish the state of health of the periodontium.
Both the placebo group and the test group showed no significant difference in plaque index and probing pocket depth between the two groups at any given time period. The test group, however, showed significant difference in gingival inflammation at one month and three months when compared to control group. The researchers concluded, ” In the present study use of Coenzyme Q10 oral supplements as an adjunct to scaling and root planing showed significant reduction in gingival inflammation when compared to scaling and rootplaning alone.”
