Effect of Virgin Coconut Oil Pulling on Salivary Bacterial Count Versus Fluoride Mouthwash in a Group of Egyptian Teenagers—Randomized Controlled Trial

Document Type : Original Article

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Lecturer of Esthetic and Conservative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Maintaining oral health is essential for overall well-being, and the use of effective oral hygiene practices is critical for preventing dental diseases. This study investigates the efficacy of virgin coconut oil pulling compared to fluoride mouthwash in reducing salivary bacterial counts among Egyptian teenagers.
Objective: The primary aim of this randomized controlled trial was to compare the impact of virgin coconut oil pulling and fluoride mouthwash on salivary bacterial counts over a 4-week period in a sample of Egyptian adolescents aged 15 to 18.
Methods: A total of 72 participants were randomly assigned to two groups (36 per group): one using virgin coconut oil pulling and the other using fluoride mouthwash. Saliva samples were collected to measure salivary bacterial counts at baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks post-intervention. Statistical analysis was performed using independent t-tests and repeated measures ANOVA, setting the significance level at p ≤ 0.05.
Results: Both groups demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in salivary bacterial counts over the study period (p < 0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two interventions at any time point (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: This study confirms that both virgin coconut oil pulling and fluoride mouthwash are effective in reducing salivary bacterial counts among Egyptian teenagers. Given the cultural preference in Egypt for natural remedies, virgin coconut oil pulling can be considered a viable alternative to fluoride mouthwash. Future studies should explore the long-term effects and broader implications of these practices on oral health.

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Egyptian Dental Journal
Volume 71, Issue 3 - Serial Number 5
Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics
July 2025
Pages 2633-2639

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