Efficacy of Oil Pulling on Oral Health Status

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of an Indian folk remedy, oil pulling therapy using Sesame oil (Idhayam oil) on oral health status

Methods: Randomized controlled triple blind clinical trials were done to evaluate the effect of Oil pulling therapy on

1. Dental caries - Streptococcus mutans count in plaque and saliva

2. Plaque induced gingivitis

The study and the control group included 10 subjects each. The subjects belonging to the study group were made to sip, suck and pull 10ml of sesame oil between their teeth for 10 minutes in the morning before brushing for 2 weeks. The control group subjects swished 10ml of 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash 30 minutes before tooth brushing for 2 weeks. Streptococcus mutans count was evaluated using the Dentocult SM Strip Mutans test. The assessment was repeated after 24 hours, 48 hours, 1 week and 2 weeks. Plaque induced gingivitis was assessed using both clinical (plaque and modified gingival indices) and microbial criteria (colony count of microorganisms). This assessment was repeated after 10 days

Results:

Study 1

1. Significant reduction in S.mutans count in oil group after 1 and 2 weeks (p = 0.01; 0.008 respectively) and in chlorhexidine group in all time periods (p = 0.01; 0.04; 0.005; 0.005)

2. Significant difference in S.mutans count between the two groups after 1 and 2 weeks (p = 0.02; 0.002 respectively)

Study 2

1. Significant reduction in plaque and modified gingival index scores in both study and control group (p = 0 in both groups)

2. Reduction in colony count of microorganisms in plaque sample

from both groups.

Conclusion: Oil pulling therapy, 5 to 6 times cost effective than chlorhexidine, can be used as an effective preventive home therapy in maintaining and improving oral health especially in developing countries like India.