A Comparison between Liquid and Conventional Toothpastes for Plaque Removal Effectiveness: A Crossover Randomized Controlled Trial

Auychai Prim , Chakthranont Noramon , Butsabul Patadanai , da Fonseca Marcio A.

Published Online: Sep 30, 2021 DOI 10.14456/cmdj.2021.7

Objectives: To investigate the effectiveness of a liquid and a cream toothpaste on dental plaque score.

Methods: Thirteen subjects, aged 20–23 years old participated in this randomized controlled crossover clinical study. The study was conducted in 2 phases of 4-weeks each with a washout period of 1 week between phases. The subjects were randomized into two groups: Jintan-NUDE aqua mint® and Colgate Total Advance Fresh® and instructed to perform routine brushing with the assigned toothpastes. Total plaque scores (TPS) and proximal plaque scores (PPS) were assessed by one examiner using a Turesky’s modification of the Quigley and Hein plaque index (TMQHI) 4 times during each phase: baseline (t0), immediately after use (t1), after the second week (t2), and fourth week (t3) of toothpaste use. Repeated ANOVA was used to compare the differences within each group and the paired t-test was used to compare the differences between groups at t0, t1, t2, and t3. The significance level was set at 0.05.

Results: The mean TPS and PPS of the groups were not significantly different at each evaluation point, except for the TPS of the liquid group at t2, which was significantly higher than that of the cream group. The TPS and PPS in each group at t1 were significantly lower compared with t0, t2, t3 and the TPS of the liquid toothpaste group at t2 was significantly higher than that at t0. The differences between the other time points were not significant.

Conclusions: The cream toothpaste exhibited more plaque reduction than the liquid toothpaste at all time points measuring by the mean TPS and PPS. However, the difference was not statistically significant except for the second week’s results.

dental plaque liquid toothpaste plaque score tooth brushing


1. Marsh PD. Plaque as a biofilm: pharmacological principles of drug delivery and action in the sub- and supragingival environment. Oral Dis. 2003;9:16-22.

2. Amrutesh S, Malini J, Tandur PS, Patki PS. Clinical evaluation of a novel herbal dental cream in plaque formation: a double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial. J Exp Pharmacol. 2010;2:105-9.

3. Fine DH. Chemical agents to prevent and regulate plaque development. J Periodontol 2000.1995;8:87-107.

4.Pannuti CM, Mattos JP, Ranoya PN, Jesus AM, Lotufo RF, Romito GA. Clinical effect of a herbal dentifrice on the control of plaque and gingivitis: a double-blind study. Pesqui Odontol Bras. 2003;17:314-8.

5. Pitten FA, Kramer A. Antimicrobial efficacy of antiseptic mouthrinse solutions. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 1999;55:95-100.

6. Shanmugapriya R, Arunmozhi U, Kadhiresan R, Sabitha S, Anirudhya R, Sujatha G. Comparison of antiplaque effectiveness of herbal toothpaste: a randomized triple-blinded cross-over clinical trial. Ayu. 2019;40:109-13.

7. Bhat N, Bapat S, Asawa K, Tak M, Chaturvedi P, Gupta VV, et al. The antiplaque efficacy of propolis-based herbal toothpaste: a crossover clinical study. J Nat Sci Biol Med. 2015; 6:364-8.

8. Kurtz B, Reise M, Klukowska M, Grender JM, Timm H, Sigusch BW. A randomized clinical trial comparing plaque removal efficacy of an oscillating-rotating power toothbrush to a manual toothbrush by multiple examiners. Int J Dent Hyg. 2016;14:278–83.

9. Jayakumar A, Padmini H, Haritha A, Reddy KP. Role of dentifrice in plaque removal: A clinical trial. Indian J Dent Res. 2010;21:213-7.

10. Prasad KVV, Sohani R, Tikare S, Yelamalli M, Rajesh G, Javali SB. Anti-plaque efficacy of two commercially available dentifrices. J Indian Assoc Public Health Dent. 2009;7:12-7.

11. Quigley GA, Hein JW. Comparative cleansing efficiency of manual and power brushing. J Am Dent Assoc. 1962;65:26-9.

12. Turesky S, Gilmore ND, Glickman I. Reduced plaque formation by the chloromethyl analogue of victamine C. J Periodontol. 1970;41:41-3.

13.Al Habashneh R, Farasin R, Khader Y. The effect of a triclosan/copolymer/fluoride toothpaste on plaque formation, gingivitis, and dentin hypersensitivity: a single-blinded randomized clinical study. Quintessence Int. 2017; 48:123-30.

14. Cagetti MG, Strohmenger L, Basile V, Abati SL, Mastroberardino S, Campus G. Effect of a toothpaste containing triclosan, cetylpyridinium chloride, and essential oils on gingival status in schoolchildren: a randomized clinical pilot study. Quintessence Int. 2015;437-45.

15. Saxton C. The effects of a dentifrice containing zinc citrate and 2, 4, 4’trichloro‐2’‐hydroxydiphenyl ether. J Periodontol. 1986;57:555-61.

Auychai P, Chakthranont N, Butsabul P, Fonseca Md. A Comparison between Liquid and Conventional Toothpastes for Plaque Removal Effectiveness: A Crossover Randomized Controlled Trial: Original articles. CM Dent J [Internet]. 2021 Sep 30 [cited 2024 Nov 18];42(3):65-70. Available from: https://www.dent.cmu.ac.th/cmdj/frontend/web/?r=site/viewarticle&id=36

Auychai, P., Chakthranont, N., Butsabul, P. & Fonseca, Md. (2021). A Comparison between Liquid and Conventional Toothpastes for Plaque Removal Effectiveness: A Crossover Randomized Controlled Trial. CM Dent J, 42(3), 65-70. Retrieved from: https://www.dent.cmu.ac.th/cmdj/frontend/web/?r=site/viewarticle&id=36

Auychai, P., Chakthranont Noramon ,Butsabul Patadanai and da Fonseca Marcio A. . 2021. "A Comparison between Liquid and Conventional Toothpastes for Plaque Removal Effectiveness: A Crossover Randomized Controlled Trial." CM Dent J, 42(3), 65-70. https://www.dent.cmu.ac.th/cmdj/frontend/web/?r=site/viewarticle&id=36

Auychai, P. et al. 2021. 'A Comparison between Liquid and Conventional Toothpastes for Plaque Removal Effectiveness: A Crossover Randomized Controlled Trial', CM Dent J, 42(3), 65-70. Retrieved from https://www.dent.cmu.ac.th/cmdj/frontend/web/?r=site/viewarticle&id=36

Auychai, P., Chakthranont, N., Butsabul, P. and Fonseca, Md. "A Comparison between Liquid and Conventional Toothpastes for Plaque Removal Effectiveness: A Crossover Randomized Controlled Trial", CM Dent J, vol.42, no. 3, pp. 65-70, Sep. 2021.

Auychai, P., Chakthranont, N., Butsabul, P., et al. "A Comparison between Liquid and Conventional Toothpastes for Plaque Removal Effectiveness: A Crossover Randomized Controlled Trial." CM Dent J, vol.42, no. 3, Sep. 2021, pp. 65-70, https://www.dent.cmu.ac.th/cmdj/frontend/web/?r=site/viewarticle&id=36