Abstract: Objective To evaluate the plaque control effect of desensitizing toothpaste with low friction and normal toothpaste. Methods A randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial was used. A total of 50 volunteers were recruited into the study. Everyone chose one side of mouth to use NO.1 toothpaste, and the other side used NO.2 toothpaste, then the toothpastes were unblinded, the NO.1 toothpaste was low friction desensitizing toothpaste containing 8% of arginine. The PLI of both sides was recorded respectively before brushing, after 15 seconds’ brushing, 30 seconds’ brushing, 60 seconds’ brushing and 120 seconds’ brushing. The effect of desensitizing toothpaste with low friction in plaque control was evaluated after statistical analysis. Results The plaque removal efficiency of normal toothpaste was higher than desensitizing toothpaste with low friction in 60 seconds, but there was no statistical difference between the two kinds of toothpaste after 120 seconds. Conclusion Desensitizing toothpaste with low friction can achieve the same effect of plaque removal as normal toothpaste after 120 seconds’ brushing.

Key words: a split-mouth design, desensitizing toothpaste, bacterial plaque