Oil Pulling Boon for Oral Diseases: A Randomized Controlled Study

Abstract

Background: Oil pulling treatment has been utilized broadly as a conventional Indian solution for some years to prevent
oral diseases and making teeth, gums, and jaws healthy.

Aims and Objectives: Comparative evaluation of antiplaque
efficacy of sesame oil, coconut oil, and placebo with chlorhexidine mouthwash among schoolchildren of 15–18 years.
Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled study was carried out among 160 schoolchildren aged 15-18 years. Out
of those, 40 subjects each were randomly selected and categorized as Group 1 (sesame oil), Group 2 (coconut oil), Group 3
(chlorhexidine mouthwash), and Group 4 (placebo). Subjects in the study group were given respected constituents and were
advised to rinse for 5 min, once daily in the morning for a period of 15 days, and their plaque index (PI) and gingival index
were assessed and compared Student’s paired t-test (p< 0.05) (software SPSS version 15). Results: The comparisons of the
pre- and post-therapy values of PI and modified gingival index were done and there was a marked reduction in the values.
Conclusion: Oil pulling therapy has shown a positive response toward the reduction of gingival and periodontal diseases.
Key words: Chlorhexidine, coconut oil, oil pulling therapy, sesame oil