High-resolution taxonomic examination of the oral microbiome after oil pulling with standardized sunflower seed oil and healthy participants: a pilot study

Abstract

Objectives We aimed at the high-resolution examination of the oral microbiome depending on oil pulling, compared it with saline pulling, and analyzed whether the method is capable of reducing the overall microbial burden of the oral cavity. Materials and methods The study was a cohort study with three healthy subjects. Oil pulling samples, saline pulling samples, and saliva samples were microscoped and cultured under microaerophilic and anaerobic conditions; colony-forming units were counted; and cultivated bacteria were identified employing MALDI-TOF MS. The oral microbiomes (saliva) and the microbiota incorporated in oil and saline pulling samples were determined in toto by using 16S rDNA next-generation sequencing (NGS) and bioinformatics. Results Microscopy revealed that oral epithelial cells are ensheathed with distinct oil droplets during oil pulling. Oil pulling induced a higher production of saliva and the oil/saliva emulsion contained more bacteria than saline pulling samples. Oil pulling resulted in a significant and transient reduction of the overall microbial burden in comparison to saliva examined prior to and after pulling. Both oil and saline pulling samples mirrored the individual oral microbiomes in saliva. Conclusions Within the limitations of this pilot study, it might be concluded that oil pulling is able to reduce the overall microbial burden of the oral cavity transiently and the microbiota in oil pulling samples are representative to the oral microbiome. Clinical relevance Within the limitations of this pilot study, it might be concluded that oil pulling can be considered as an enlargement of standard oral hygiene techniques since it has the characteristic of an oral massage, enwrapping epithelial cells carrying bacteria in oil vesicles and reaching almost all unique habitats in oral cavity.

Microbiome of Odontogenic Abscesses

“…For nucleic acid extraction, 1 mL saliva, 0.5 mL pus and negative controls of water and reaction mixtures were used. To determine the quality of the experiments, a mock community was applied [ 18 ].…”

Effectiveness of Oil Pulling for Improving Oral Health: A Meta-Analysis

“…They found that the pulling showed no significant preferences for particular bacteria, even considering morphology, cell wall structure, and oxygen tolerance. Therefore, they found a uniform reduction in overall microbial load [ 22 ]. Similar results were found in our study.…”

Comparison of the plaque regrowth inhibition effects of oil pulling therapy with sesame oil or coconut oil using 4‐day plaque regrowth study model: A randomized crossover clinical trial

“…Based on the fact that oil pulling therapy has the characteristic of an oral massage, enwrapping epithelial cells, the authors concluded that oil pulling can be considered as enlargement of standard oral hygiene techniques. 28 Oil pulling therapy is applied by swishing oil (sunflower oil, sesame oil or coconut oil) in the oral cavity for oral and systemic health benefits. Several studies exist in the literature that conducted to evaluate the oral health benefits of oil pulling therapy, but none of them focused on the comparison of its plaque-inhibiting effects when applied with different oils.…”