Comparison of the plaque regrowth inhibition effects of oil pulling therapy with sesame oil or coconut oil using 4-day plaque regrowth study model: A randomized crossover clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the plaque-inhibiting effects of oil pulling therapy with sesame oil or coconut oil using 4-day plaque regrowth study model. METHODS: This clinical observer-masked, randomized, crossover designed study involved 24 participants. The participants received professional prophylaxis in the preparatory period and after that subjects started to use the allocated mouthrinse (coconut oil or sesame oil). On day 5, periodontal clinical parameters including plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), stain index (SI) and bleeding on probing (BOP) were recorded. Subjects underwent a 14-day wash out period and then used the other mouthrinse for 4 days. RESULTS: Oil pulling therapy with coconut oil or sesame oil exhibited similar plaque regrowth inhibition (PI = 1.60 ± 0.28 and 1.49 ± 0.22, for oil pulling with coconut oil and sesame oil, respectively) and tooth staining (SI = 0.20 ± 0.11 and 0.21 ± 0.09, for oil pulling with coconut oil and sesame oil, respectively.) In addition, GI and BOP were similar in both groups (GI = 0.61 ± 0.19 and 0.69 ± 0.16; BOP = 0.09 ± 0.24 and 0.03 ± 0.03 for oil pulling with coconut oil and sesame oil, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Oil pulling therapy with coconut or sesame oil showed similar results in terms of plaque regrowth inhibition and tooth staining. According to the present results, both coconut oil and sesame oil can be used for oil pulling therapy with the aim of plaque regrowth inhibition.

Efficacy of oil pulling therapy with coconut oil on four-day supragingival plaque growth: A randomized crossover clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the plaque-inhibiting effects of oil pulling using 4- day plaque regrowth study model compared to 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) containing mouthrinse. DESIGN: The study was an observer-masked, randomized, cross-over design clinical trial, involving 29 volunteers to compare 0.2% CHX and oil pulling therapy in a 4- day plaque regrowth model. After the preparatory period, in which the subjects received professional prophylaxis, the subjects commenced rinsing with their allocated rinsed. On day 5 plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), stain index (SI), bleeding on probing (BOP) were recorded from the subjects. Each participant underwent a 14- day wash out period and then used the other mouthrinse for four days. RESULTS: Oil pulling therapy presented similar inhibitory activity on plaque regrowth compared with CHX (PI = 1.67 ±â€¯0.24, 1.61 ±â€¯0.20, respectively) with less staining (SI = 0.21 ±â€¯0.13, 0.47 ±â€¯0.27, respectively). In addition, GI and BOP was similar in both groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Oil pulling with coconut oil seems to have similar plaque inhibition activity as CHX. In addition it caused less tooth staining than CHX. These findings suggest that oil pulling therapy may be an alternative to CHX rinse.