CLINICAL EVALUATION OF COCONUT OIL PULLING PRACTICE VERSUS CURCUMIN BASED MOUTHWASH IN PLAQUE INDUCED GINGIVITIS: AN INTERVENTIONAL STUDY

Introduction:Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease caused by a complex mix of microbes. Effective prevention and management of periodontal disease depend on the regular and thorough removal of bacterial plaque. There are various mechanical and chemical methods available for plaque control. Historically, essential oils have been utilized to treat numerous oral conditions, and many have been studied for their anti-plaque and anti-gingivitis properties. However, the use of coconut oil for these purposes has been explored in only a few studies. Objectives:The current study was conducted to compare and assess the therapeutic efficacy of Coconut Oil-Pulling and Curcumin-based Mouthwash in patients with plaque and gingivitis. Additionally, we measured the IL-1β levels in the saliva of patients with gingivitis. Materials and Method:A total of 40 periodontally healthy volunteers with the age range of 20-55 years were randomly divided into two groups: ‑Group 1: virgin coconut oil mouthrinse (Anveshan Coconut oil) and Group 2: Curcumin mouthrinse(Turmix Mouthwash). Clinical parameters such as Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), and Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI) were recorded for all the subjects. An unstimulated salivary sample was collected at baseline and after 1 month for estimation of IL-1β levels. Results:Curcumin mouthwash was determined to be more effective when compared to coconut oil pulling in cases of mild gingivitis. Conclusion:Both the study groups showed reductions in PI, GI,GBI scores and IL-1β levels. It was observed that Coconut oil pulling and Curcumin mouthwash both served as a good alternative but curcumin mouthwash was found to be more effective when compared to coconut oil pulling in cases of mild gingivitis.