Effect of Virgin Coconut Oil Pulling Versus Fluoride Mouthwash on Salivary Bacterial Count in Elderly Egyptians: A Randomized Controlled Trial | ||||
| Egyptian Dental Journal | ||||
| Volume 71, Issue 3 - Serial Number 5, July 2025, Page 2651-2657 PDF (468.67 K) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/edj.2025.373618.3440 | ||||
 View on SCiNiTO | ||||
| Author | ||||
omnia magdy moustafa kamal  
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| Lecturer of Esthetic and Conservative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University, Egypt | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Background: Maintaining oral health in elderly individuals is crucial due to their increased susceptibility to dental caries and periodontal disease. This study evaluated and compared the antimicrobial effectiveness of virgin coconut oil (VCO) pulling and fluoride mouthwash (FMW) on salivary bacterial count in elderly Egyptians. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 72 elderly participants (≥65 years) divided into two groups: Group I received VCO pulling; Group II used FMW. Saliva samples were collected at baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks. Salivary bacterial count (colony-forming units, CFU/ml) was assessed using Mitis salivarius agar. Statistical analysis involved t-tests and repeated measures ANOVA. Results: Both groups showed a statistically significant reduction in salivary bacterial count over time (P < 0.001). VCO demonstrated a greater reduction at all time points. At 4 weeks, the mean log CFU/ml was 4.02±0.20 in the VCO group vs 4.22±0.23 in the FMW group (P = 0.0003). Conclusion: Virgin coconut oil pulling is a promising alternative to fluoride mouthwash for reducing salivary bacterial load in elderly individuals. Its natural composition and antimicrobial properties may offer a safer, culturally acceptable oral hygiene practice. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Virgin coconut oil; Fluoride; Salivary bacteria; Elderly; Oil pulling | ||||
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