Periodontitis is a common gum disease usually treated with professional cleaning and antimicrobial mouth rinses, but these rinses often cause uncomfortable side effects that discourage people from using them long-term. Coconut oil has been suggested as a natural alternative because it can fight bacteria and reduce inflammation. Researchers wanted to see whether adding coconut oil rinses to standard gum disease treatment would produce better results and fewer complaints than using a conventional antimicrobial rinse or plain water. Thirty patients with moderate-to-severe periodontitis were divided into three groups and used either coconut oil rinse, a standard antimicrobial rinse, or flavored water for one month, then all received professional periodontal cleaning.
The researchers measured various aspects of gum health and patient experience at three time points: before treatment started, after one month of rinsing, and one month after the professional cleaning. Both coconut oil and the standard antimicrobial rinse reduced plaque buildup, bleeding gums, and pocket depth better than plain water. Coconut oil was slightly more effective at one measure of gum attachment. Importantly, coconut oil did not cause the burning sensation, tooth discoloration, and other side effects common with the standard rinse. Coconut oil users also reported less mouth dryness and better quality of life. Surprisingly, patients preferred the taste of plain water over either active treatment, though taste preference didn’t prevent the coconut oil group from experiencing real health improvements.
(Source: BMC Oral Health, via PubMed.)
Source: PubMed — read the full article