Comparing the Effect of Coconut Oil Pulling Practice with Chlorhexidine Mouth Wash in Plaque Induced Gingivitis by Evaluation of Salivary Biochemical Marker – A Comparative Interventional Study

Background: Oil pulling is an oral hygiene practice and is described in the ancient Ayurvedic literature. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 subjects with plaque related mild – moderate gingivitis in the age Group of 18-25 was recruited and they were divided into two Groups as Group A and B, each with 15 subjects. Group A subjects were advised to practice coconut oil pulling therapy and Group B subjects were advised to use Chlorhexidine Gluconate 0.12% solution for 4 weeks as an adjuvant practice along with routine tooth brushing. Estimation of salivary Aspartate Aminotransferase was done at pre and post intervention stage for both the study Groups by using semi auto analyser. Results: Statistically significant reduction in the reduction in the salivary Aspartate Aminotransferase level was seen at post intervention stage in Group A and Group B compared to preintervention stage. Comparison of salivary Aspartate Aminotransferase level between Group A subjects and Group B subjects at pre and post intervention stage revealed no significant difference. Our study results show that oil pulling utilizing coconut oil is effective in reducing the severity of plaque induced mild-moderate gingivitis and the effect is comparable to 0.12% chlorhexidine mouthwash in reducing plaque formation and gingivitis. Conclusion: Oil pulling utilizing coconut oil is an effective adjuvant oral hygiene practice in reducing the severity of plaque induced mild – moderate gingivitis along with the routine oral hygiene measure. Coconut oil pulling practice could be a potential alternative to chlorhexidine mouth wash for long term use.