Full Length Research Paper

Effect of oil-pulling on dental caries causing bacteria

T. Durai Anand^*, C. Pothiraj, R. M. Gopinath and B. Kayalvizhi

PG Department of Microbiology, V. H. N. S. N. College, Virudhunagar- 626 001, India.

*Corresponding author E-mail: duraianand1974@rediffmail.com.

Accepted  12  February, 2008

The effect of oil-pulling on the reduction of total count of bacteria was determined. There was a remarkable reduction in the total count of bacteria. The process of oil-pulling reduced the susceptibility of a host to dental caries. The in-vitro antibacterial activity of sesame oil against dental caries causing bacteria was determined.  Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus were found to be moderately sensitive to the sesame oil.

Key words: Antibacterial activity, Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilu.