Clinical and Microbiologically Controlled Comparative Study on the Efficacy of Commercially Available Oils as Oil Pulling

Abstract: Background: Marginal periodontitis is a biofilm-induced inflammatory disease that contributes to tooth loss, systemic inflammation, and functional decline in aging populations. Oil pulling, a traditional oral hygiene practice using natural oils, has gained interest as a potential adjunctive therapy, yet its translational relevance in geriatric oral health remains poorly understood. Objectives: This randomized controlled clinical trial evaluated the efficacy of commercially available oils used in oil pulling compared with a professional airflow treatment system in the management of subgingival biofilm. The translational objective was to assess whether oil pulling could serve as a low-cost, non-invasive intervention for preserving periodontal and systemic health in aging individuals. Methods: Thirty-two subjects with a history of marginal periodontitis were randomized into two groups: Group 1 (G1) received daily oil pulling with a mixed-oil formulation for six weeks, while Group 2 (G2) underwent airflow debridement using the Air N Go Perio^® easy system. Clinical endpoints included probing depth (PD), gingival recession (GR), clinical attachment level (CAL), and bleeding on probing (BOP). Microbiological endpoints included total bacterial load (TBL) and quantification of periodontal pathogens (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, Tannerella forsythia). Results: Both groups demonstrated significant reductions in TBL and modest, non-significant improvements in PD and BOP over six weeks. No significant differences were observed between the groups in CAL or GR. Oil pulling achieved comparable efficacy to airflow treatment in reducing bacterial load and improving clinical parameters. Conclusions: Oil pulling with commercially available oils demonstrated comparable short-term clinical and microbiological efficacy to professional airflow therapy. In the context of aging populations, this simple, low-cost, and culturally accessible practice may offer a valuable adjunct to conventional periodontal maintenance. Further large-scale, longitudinal studies are required to establish its role in translational geriatric oral health protocols.