Does Coconut Oil Combat Streptococcus Mutans- A Systematic Review?

Abstract

AIM: This study aims to assess the effectiveness of coconut oil against streptococcus mutants bacteria.

MATERIALS AND METHOD: A systematic review of controlled trials was performed. Totally 164 number of articles related to the effect of coconut oil against streptococcus mutans bacteria were hand searched from electronic databases. Out of 164 articles, 130 number of articles were screened. The intervention and outcomes were assessed in the study included for systematic review.

RESULTS: Five studies were included in our systematic reviews which were randomized control trials.  All of the five articles were found to be statistically significant, but further studies should be done to prove the appropriate effectiveness of coconut oil against streptococcus mutans bacteria. We were not able to conduct Meta-analysis due to clinical heterogeneity among the study design and difference occurred in reporting of data.

CONCLUSION: Coconut oil was found to be very effective in reducing streptococcus mutans bacteria which helps to prevent the formation of dental caries