Abstract

TO DETERMINE THE EFFECT OF OIL PULLING ON SALIVARY STREPTOCOCOUS MUTANS COUNT -IN VIVO STUDY

Dr. Shikha Chauhan*, BDS, MDS, Dr. Manvi Malik, BDS, MDS, Dr. Vinod Sachdev, BDS, MDS, Dr. Shobhit Sachdeva, BDS, MDS, Dr. Shivani Mathur, BDS, MDS

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Oil pulling is an age-old practice that has gained modern popularity in promoting oral and systemic health. The scientific verification for this practice is insufficient. Thus, this study evaluated the effect of coconut oil pulling on the count of Streptococcus mutans in saliva in vivo. Materials And Methods: A randomized controlled study was planned and 45 subjects were selected. The subjects were divided into three groups, STUDY GROUP: Group I-Oil pulling, Group II-Chlorhexidine, and CONTROL GROUP: Group III Saline. Group I subjects rinsed mouth with 10 ml of edible coconut oil for 10 minutes. Group II subjects rinsed mouth with 5 ml Chlorhexidine mouthwash for 1 minute and Group III with 5 ml distilled water for 1 minute in the morning. Saliva samples were collected and cultured on 1st day and after 14 days from all subjects. Colonies were counted to compare the efficacy of coconut oil and Chlorhexidine with distilled water. Results: Statistically significant reduction in S. mutans count was seen in both the coconut oil pulling and Chlorhexidine group. Conclusion: Oil pulling can be explored as a safe and effective alternative to Chlorhexidine. Clinical significance: Edible oil-pulling therapy is natural, safe and has no side effects. Hence, it can be considered as a preventive therapy at home to maintain oral hygiene.

Keywords: Chlorhexidine group, S. mutans.