This study aims to compare the effectiveness of coconut oil pulling with clove oil, coconut oil pulling alone, and fluoride mouthwash in reducing Streptococcus mutans levels in children aged 6-12 years. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: 1. Coconut Oil Pulling with Clove Oil Group - Daily swishing with coconut oil mixed with clove oil. 2. Coconut Oil Pulling Group - Daily swishing with coconut oil alone. 3. Fluoride Mouthwash Group (Control) - Using fluoride mouthwash as per standard guidelines. The primary outcome is the reduction in Streptococcus mutans count, assessed through microbiological analysis of saliva samples at baseline, immediately after intervention, and after 4 weeks. Secondary outcomes include patient acceptability, adherence, and gingival health. This randomized controlled trial will provide insight into natural alternatives for oral health maintenance in children. Study Location: Cairo University, Faculty of Dentistry. Estimated Study Duration: May 2025 - January 2026.
This study is a three-arm, randomized controlled trial assessing the impact of coconut oil pulling with clove oil compared to coconut oil alone and fluoride mouthwash on Streptococcus mutans reduction in children. Participants will be recruited from the Pediatric Dentistry Department at Cairo University and randomly assigned using a 1:1:1 allocation ratio. Saliva samples will be collected at three time points (baseline, immediately after intervention, and 4 weeks post-intervention) for microbiological analysis. The study will also evaluate secondary outcomes such as patient compliance (measured using the MMAS-4 scale), acceptability (using a 5-point Likert scale), and gingival health (assessed with the Löe \& Silness Gingival Index). The findings aim to determine whether natural oil-based methods can serve as effective, non-invasive alternatives to fluoride-based mouth rinses in pediatric populations.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
105
Participants will swish 10 mL of coconut oil mixed with 2 drops of clove oil once daily for 4 weeks. This intervention is designed to assess its antimicrobial efficacy in reducing Streptococcus mutans levels in children and improving oral hygiene.
Participants will swish 10 mL of pure coconut oil once daily for 4 weeks. This intervention aims to evaluate the effectiveness of coconut oil alone in reducing Streptococcus mutans levels and its potential role in maintaining oral health.
Participants will rinse with 10 mL of fluoride mouthwash three times daily for 4 weeks. This intervention serves as the active comparator, as fluoride mouthwash is a well-established method for reducing Streptococcus mutans levels and preventing dental caries.
Faculty of Dentistry-Cairo university
Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt
Faculty of Dentistry Cairo university
Egypt, Cairo Governorate, Egypt
streptococcus mutans count
The primary outcome of this study is the reduction in Streptococcus mutans count in plaque samples collected from participants. Samples will be collected at three time points: baseline (T0), immediately after the intervention (T1), and four weeks post-intervention (T2). The bacterial count will be analyzed using Mitis Salivarius Bacitracin (MSB) Agar and expressed as colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL). The count will be manually determined using a colony counter after incubation under anaerobic conditions for 24-72 hours at 37°C. Gram staining, catalase test, and sugar fermentation tests will be performed to confirm the presence of Streptococcus mutans
Time frame: Baseline (T0), immediately after intervention (T1), and after 4 weeks (T2).
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