The Effect of Coconut Oil pulling on Streptococcus mutans Count in Saliva in Comparison with Chlorhexidine Mouthwash.

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 and to compare its efficacy with that of Chlorhexidine mouthwash: in vivo. The null hypothesis was that coconut oil pulling has no effect on the bacterial count in saliva. MATERIALS AND METHODS A randomized controlled study was planned and 60 subjects were selected. The subjects were divided into three groups, Group A: STUDY GROUP Oil pulling, Group B: STUDY GROUP Chlorhexidine, and Group C: CONTROL GROUP Distilled water. Group A subjects rinsed mouth with 10 ml of coconut oil for 10 minutes. Group B subjects rinsed mouth with 5 ml Chlorhexidine mouthwash for 1 minute and Group C with 5 ml distilled water for 1 minute in the morning before brushing. Saliva samples were collected and cultured on 1st day and after 2 weeks 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.