ABSTRACT
Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of oil pulling with sesame oil, coconut oil, as compared to chlorhexidine on plaque induced gingivitis. Material and Method: Sample size consisted of 30 subjects 10 in each group with plaque induced gingivitis. Subjects underwent scaling root planing and were randomly assigned to either of the 3 groups. Clinical and microbiological parameters were assessed at regular intervals and results were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: The results of the current study show that there is a statistically significant difference in the clinical and microbiological parameters in all 3 individual groups; however intergroup comparison showed no statistically significant difference in clinical and microbiological parameters. Conclusion : Oil-pulling therapy has been as equally effective as chlorhexidine against plaqueinduced gingivitis. Oil pulling has the following advantages over chlorhexidine: no staining, no lingering after-taste, and no allergy. There are no disadvantages for oil pulling therapy except for the extended duration of the procedure compared with chlorhexidine.
KEYWORDS:Oil Pulling, Sesame oil, Coconut oil, Chlorhexidine