Unlocking Therapeutic Avenues: A Comparative Study of Coconut Oil and Chlorhexidine Mouthwash Efficacy in Treating Plaque-Induced Gingivitis During Fixed Orthodontic Treatment—A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: This study was done to compare the efficacy of coconut oil with that of chlorhexidine mouthwash for treating plaque-induced gingivitis in patients receiving fixed orthodontic treatment. Material and Method: The study followed a double-blind randomized controlled trial design. A total of 38 participants meeting specific criteria were equally allocated into two arms: Group 1 (19 participants) receiving coconut oil and Group 2 (19 participants) receiving chlorhexidine mouthwash. Plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI) were recorded at baseline (T1), Day 7 (T2), and Day 21 (T3). Oral hygiene practices, including brushing frequency, technique, and interdental aids, were also assessed. All the statistical analyses were performed using SPSS, version 16.0, and the chi-square and Mann‒Whitney tests were used. Results: The study found that the coconut oil group showed a statistically significant improvement (p = 0.001) in PI scores from baseline (T1) to Day 21 (T3) of use. The GI scores in the coconut oil group also showed improvement over the 3-week study period; however, the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight that coconut oil was able to reduce plaque levels significantly and GI values nonsignificantly in those undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment. Future studies employing scientifically sound methodologies and longer follow-ups are required to establish the effectiveness of coconut oil as a mouthwash.