# Effect of coconut and sesame oils on gingivitis

## TL;DR

This study shows that oil pulling with coconut and sesame oils can reduce plaque and gingivitis over 30 days.

## Contribution

The study provides empirical evidence for the effectiveness of coconut and sesame oil pulling in reducing gingivitis.

## Key findings

- Coconut oil reduced plaque index from 1.5 to 1.32 and gingival index from 1.12 to 0.9 after 30 days.
- Sesame oil reduced plaque index from 1.65 to 1.36 and gingival index from 1.1 to 0.81 after 30 days.
- Both oils significantly reduced bacterial colony counts after one month of use.

## Abstract

The effectiveness of Oil Pulling Therapy (OPT) with coconut (CO) and sesame oil (SO) on gingivitis patients is of interest. Forty
patients were randomly distributed into group A and B for CO and SO respectively. Participants of group A were explained in detail about
the OPT with CO and group B with SO along with their routine oral hygiene practice for 30 days. The mean plaque index of CO and SO
reduced from 1.5 to 1.32 and 1.65 to 1.36 (p<0.05) respectively after 30 days. The mean gingival index of CO and SO declined from
1.12 to 0.9 and 1.1 to 0.81 respectively after 30 days (p<0.05) compared to initial scores. The mean no. of colonies in the case of
CO and SO declined from 35.8 x 103 to 32.4 x 103 and 6.8 x 103 to 34.6 x 103 after 30 days (p<0.05). OPT reduced plaque and
gingivitis, according to the results of one month. Hence, we must increase awareness about oil pulling, as this home therapy can prevent
gingival diseases in countries with limited resources like ours.