Download PDF
CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Eur J Dent 2020; 14(04): 558-565
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1714194
Original Article

The Role of Coconut Oil in Treating Patients Affected by Plaque-Induced Gingivitis: A Pilot Study

Francesca Ripari
1   Department of Oral and Maxillo-facial Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
,
Federica Filippone
1   Department of Oral and Maxillo-facial Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
,
Giulia Zumbo
1   Department of Oral and Maxillo-facial Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
,
Francesco Covello
1   Department of Oral and Maxillo-facial Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
,
Francesca Zara
1   Department of Oral and Maxillo-facial Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
,
Iole Vozza
1   Department of Oral and Maxillo-facial Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
› Author Affiliations
› Further Information
Also available at
   Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Objectives The aim of the study was to evaluate the coconut oil pulling efficacy as adjuvant in reducing plaque formation and in treating plaque-induced gingivitis.

Materials and Methods A sample of 20 patients was divided into two groups: a study and a control group. In the study group, coconut oil, in form of mouthwash, was administered to a sample of patients affected by gingivitis, aged between 18 and 35. The protocol established a daily application of the product for 30 days, where clinical parameters for plaque formation and gingivitis—plaque index (PI), bleeding index (BI)—will be evaluated during the recalls on a specific periodontal chart. The control group did not associate a coadjuvant to the normal daily oral health procedures and the same clinical parameters were evaluated at t0 and after 30 days (t1). The data were statistically analyzed using Student’s t-test, establishing the significance level as p < 0.05.

Results PI and BI decreased in both groups, with a more relevant and significant drop in the study group, from a mean value of PI of 58.0 to 19.3 and a mean value of BI of 33.5 to 5.0. In the control group, the values decreased, respectively, from 53.9 to 29.1 for PI, and from 33.5 to 16.2. Furthermore, no significant side effect was reported during coconut oil pulling therapy.

Conclusions The collected data showed significant and promising improvements in reducing plaque formation and gingivitis. However, further researches have to be performed to have more consistent and statistically significant data on larger samples and to fully understand the mechanisms of action and effectiveness.

Keywords

gingivitis - coconut oil - oil pulling - oral hygiene


Publication History

Article published online:
22 September 2020

© .

Thieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Private Ltd.
A-12, Second Floor, Sector -2, NOIDA -201301, India

 

  • References

  • 1 Kumar S. Evidence-based update on diagnosis and management of gingivitis and periodontitis. Dent Clin North Am 2019; 63 (01) 69-81
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Germano F, Bramanti E, Arcuri C, Cecchetti F, Cicciù M. Atomic force microscopy of bacteria from periodontal subgingival biofilm: preliminary study results. Eur J Dent 2013; 7 (02) 152-158
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Fiorillo L, Cervino G, Herford AS. et al. Interferon crevicular fluid profile and correlation with periodontal disease and wound healing: a systemic review of recent data. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19 (07) 1908 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19071908.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Bayani M, Pourali M, Keivan M. Possible interaction between visfatin, periodontal infection, and other systemic diseases: a brief review of literature. Eur J Dent 2017; 11 (03) 407-410
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Ripari F, Cera A, Freda M, Zumbo G, Zara F, Vozza I. Tea tree oil versus chlorhexidine mouthwash in treatment of gingivitis: a pilot randomized, double blinded clinical trial. Eur J Dent 2020; 14 (01) 55-62
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Robinson PG, Deacon SA, Deery C. et al. Manual versus powered toothbrushing for oral health. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2005; 18 (02) CD002281
    Google Scholar
  • 7 Deacon SA, Glenny AM, Deery C. et al. Different powered toothbrushes for plaque control and gingival health. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2010; (12) CD004971
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Meto A, Colombari B, Castagnoli A, Sarti M, Denti L, Blasi E. Efficacy of a copper-calcium-hydroxide solution in reducing microbial plaque on orthodontic clear aligners: a case report. Eur J Dent 2019; 13 (03) 478-484
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Chatterjee D, Kapoor A, Vijay S, Sobti G, Kara D, Thanvi J. Efficacy of locally administered 1.2% rosuvastatin gel in patients with periodontitis: a randomized placebo controlled clinical trial. Eur J Dent 2019; 13 (01) 29-35
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Amith HV, Ankola AV, Nagesh L. Effect of oil pulling on plaque and gingivitis. J Oral Health Comm Dent 2007; 1: 12-18
    CrossrefGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Asokan S, Rathan J, Muthu MS, Rathna PV, Emmadi P. Raghuraman, Chamundeswari. Effect of oil pulling on Streptococcus mutans count in plaque and saliva using Dentocult SM Strip mutans test: a randomized, controlled, triple-blind study. J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent 2008; 26 (01) 12-17
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Naseem M, Khiyani MF, Nauman H, Zafar MS, Shah AH, Khalil HS. Oil pulling and importance of traditional medicine in oral health maintenance. Int J Health Sci (Qassim) 2017; 11 (04) 65-70
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Vadhana VC, Sharath A, Geethapriya PR, Vijayasankari V. Effect of sesame oil, ozonated sesame oil, and chlorhexidine mouthwash on oral health status of adolescents: a randomized controlled pilot trial. J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent 2019; 37 (04) 365-371
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Sezgin Y, Memis Ozgul B, Alptekin NO. Efficacy of oil pulling therapy with coconut oil on four-day supragingival plaque growth: a randomized crossover clinical trial. Complement Ther Med 2019; 47: 102193
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Shanbhag VK. Oil pulling for maintaining oral hygiene - a review. J Tradit Complement Med 2016; 7 (01) 106-109
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 DebMandal M, Mandal S. Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.: Arecaceae): in health promotion and disease prevention. Asian Pac J Trop Med 2011; 4 (03) 241-247
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Effiong GS, Ebong PE, Eyong EU, Uwah AJ, Ekong UE. Amelioration of chloramphenicol induced toxicity in rats by coconut water. J Appl Sci Res 2010; 6 (04) 331-335
    Google Scholar
  • 18 Rihakova Z, Filip V, Plockova M, Smidrkal J, Cervenkova R. Inhibition of Aspergillus niger DMF 0801 by monoacylglycerols prepared from coconut oil. Czech J Food Sci 2002; 20: 48-52
    CrossrefGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Vigila AG, Baskaran X. Immunomodulatory effect of coconut protein on cyclophosphamide induced immune suppressed Swiss Albino mice. Ethnobot Leaflets 2008; 12: 1206-1212
    Google Scholar
  • 20 Loki AL, Rajamohan T. Hepatoprotective and antioxidant effect of tender coconut water on CCl4 induced liver injury in rats. Indian J Biochem Biophys 2003; 40: 354-357
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Nevin KG, Rajamohan T. Beneficial effects of virgin coconut oil on lipid parameters and in vitro LDL oxidation. Clin Biochem 2004; 37 (09) 830-835
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 DebMandal M, Mandal S. Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.: Arecaceae): in health promotion and disease prevention. Asian Pac J Trop Med 2011; 4 (03) 241-247
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Dayrit FM. The properties of lauric acid and their significance in coconut oil. J Am Oil Chem Soc 2015; 92: 1-15
    CrossrefGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Shanbhag VK. Oil pulling for maintaining oral hygiene - a review. J Tradit Complement Med 2016; 7 (01) 106-109
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Singh A, Purohit B. Tooth brushing, oil pulling and tissue regeneration: a review of holistic approaches to oral health. J Ayurveda Integr Med 2011; 2 (02) 64-68
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Ahmad FA, Alotaibi MK, Baseer MA, Shafshak SM. The effect of oral health knowledge, attitude, and practice on periodontal status among dental students. Eur J Dent 2019; 13 (03) 437-443
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Peedikayil FC, Sreenivasan P, Narayanan A. Effect of coconut oil in plaque related gingivitis - a preliminary report. Niger Med J 2015; 56 (02) 143-147
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Asokan S, Emmadi P, Chamundeswari R. Effect of oil pulling on plaque induced gingivitis: a randomized, controlled, triple-blind study. Indian J Dent Res 2009; 20 (01) 47-51
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Peedikayil FC, Remy V, John S, Chandru TP, Sreenivasan P, Bijapur GA. Comparison of antibacterial efficacy of coconut oil and chlorhexidine on Streptococcus mutans: an in vivo study. J Int Soc Prev Community Dent 2016; 6 (05) 447-452
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar