The objectives of this study were to evaluate the inhibitory effect on plaque and the tooth
discoloration associated with agents used in the chemical plaque control of oil pulling in
comparison with chlorhexidine-containing mouthwash and water in a four-day plaque regrowth
model.
One hundred dentistry students were included in this randomized, parallel-group,
placebo-controlled clinical study. In this study, participants were divided into 5 equal
groups: Group 1: Gargling with 0.2% chlorhexidine; Group 2: Oil pulling with coconut oil;
Group 3: Oil pulling with black cumin oil; Group 4: Oil pulling with terebinth oil; Group 4:
Gargling with distilled water. Participants were instructed to refrain from mechanical oral
hygiene and rinse only with the allocated mouth rinse during the four-day period. The
differences in plaque index, gingival index, and tooth discoloration were evaluated in the
study.