A Comparative Evaluation of Flax Seed and Coconut Oil Pulling Therapy on Plaque-Induced Gingivitis: A Preliminary Report

Abstract

Oil pulling is a traditional shown promising result in controlling bleeding and reducing inflammation of periodontium. Hence, the present study was aimed to compare and evaluate the efficacy of flax seed and coconut oil as an anti-inflammatory agent with chlorhexidine gluconate in the treatment of plaque-induced gingivitis. The randomized controlled clinical trial involved 45 participants divided into three groups, each with 15 participants. Clinical parameters like Plaque index (PI), Gingival index (GI), Sulcular Bleeding Index (SBI) were assessed at baseline, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS software 22.0. Results showed a significant decrease in pre- and post-treatment clinical parameters, indicating that flax seed and coconut oil pulling used as adjunctive oral hygiene aids were effectively decreased plaque formation and gingivitis.