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

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.

Automated summary

The study aimed to investigate the effects of oil pulling on the oral microbiome and compare it with saline pulling to determine its ability to reduce the overall microbial burden of the oral cavity. The results showed that oil pulling can transiently reduce the oral microbial burden, and the microbiota in oil and saline pulling samples are representative of the oral microbiome.