Abstract

Background: Oil pulling is an oral hygiene practce and is described in the ancient Ayurvedic literature. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 subjects with plaque related mild – moderate gingivits 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 practce coconut oil pulling therapy and Group B subjects were advised to use Chlorhexidine Gluconate 0.12% soluton for 4 weeks as an adjuvant practce along with routne tooth brushing. Estmaton of salivary Aspartate Aminotransferase was done at pre and post interventon stage for both the study Groups by using semi auto analyser. Results: Statstcally signifcant reducton in the reducton in the salivary Aspartate Aminotransferase level was seen at post interventon stage in Group A and Group B compared to preinterventon stage. Comparison of salivary Aspartate Aminotransferase level between Group A subjects and Group B subjects at pre and post interventon stage revealed no signifcant difference. Our study results show that oil pulling utlizing coconut oil is effectve in reducing the severity of plaque induced mild-moderate gingivits and the effect is comparable to 0.12% chlorhexidine mouthwash in reducing plaque formaton and gingivits. Conclusion: Oil pulling utlizing coconut oil is an effectve adjuvant oral hygiene practce in reducing the severity of plaque induced mild – moderate gingivits along with the routne oral hygiene measure. Coconut oil pulling practce could be a potental alternatve to chlorhexidine mouth wash for long term use.

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