Effect of Oil-Pulling on Oral Microorganisms in Biofilm Models

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effect of oil-pulling against oral microorganisms in biofilm models. Materials and Methods: The effect of oil-pulling using coconut oil, corn oil, rice bran oil, palm oil, sesame oil, sunflower oil and soy bean oil was evaluated on biofilm models formed by Streptococcus mutans KPSK2, Lactobacillus casei ATCC 6363 and Candida albicans ATCC 13803 on salivary-coated microtiter plates. Saline solution and 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate solution were used as negative and positive controls, respectively. Results: It was found that coconut oil exhibited antimicrobial activity against S. mutans and C. albicans. Sesame oil had antibacterial activity against S. mutans whereas sunflower oil had antifungal activity against C. albicans. However, L. casei was found to be resistant to all tested oils. Conclusion: Results from the present study could be scientific evidence to demonstrate that oil-pulling therapy with some edible oils could probably be used as a preventive home therapy to maintain oral hygiene against dental caries especially in developing countries.