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Each row is one question a systematic review asked: who, what, compared with what, and which outcome, with the effect it found and how certain that is. Words match anywhere in the field.

Limit to evidence status or GRADE (optional)

149 questions in 24 reviews · cluster CL0141

current versions
No studies 32 · 21.5%Ungraded 89 · 59.7%Very low 19 · 12.8%Low 5 · 3.4%Moderate 2 · 1.3%High 2 · 1.3%

Ungraded means an effect was reported without a GRADE rating; it is not a gap. No studies means the review found nothing to answer the question. The six categories are a display order, not a score.

Intervention categories, outcome domains and clusters are a proposed key pending human validation. Clear all filters

QuestionEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Salvadora persica (miswak) mouthrinse vs Chlorhexidine 0.2% mouthrinse
Post-intervention mean plaque score · Medically healthy individuals (adults and children, 6-60 years) · Post-intervention, Chlorhexidine concentration: 0.2%
The antiplaque/anticariogenic efficacy of Salvadora persica (Miswak) mouthrinse in comparison to that of… (2019)
MD 0.12 [0.03, 0.21]12 studies · 566 participantsUngraded
Toothbrushing + chlorine dioxide mouthwash vs Toothbrushing + tongue cleaning
Volatile sulphur compounds (VSC), sulphide monitor · Adolescents and adults aged over 16 years with clinical or self-assessed halitosis of oral origin; excluding induced… · 4 weeks
Interventions for managing halitosis (2019) · Cochrane
MD -81.87 [-140.12, -23.62]1 study · 30 participantsUngraded
Salvadora persica (miswak) mouthrinse vs Chlorhexidine mouthrinse
Post-intervention mean plaque score · Medically healthy individuals (adults and children, 6-60 years) · Post-intervention, Refrained from mechanical plaque control
The antiplaque/anticariogenic efficacy of Salvadora persica (Miswak) mouthrinse in comparison to that of… (2019)
MD 0.22 [0.05, 0.39]7 studies · 308 participantsUngraded
Miswak (Salvadora persica) mouthwash vs Chlorhexidine mouthwash
Volatile sulphur compounds (VSC) · Adolescents and adults aged over 16 years with clinical or self-assessed halitosis of oral origin; excluding induced… · 1 week
Interventions for managing halitosis (2019) · Cochrane
MD -0.2 [-1.03, 0.63]1 study · 21 participantsUngraded
Chlorhexidine + zinc acetate mouthwash vs Placebo mouthwash
Patient-reported OLT score · Adolescents and adults aged over 16 years with clinical or self-assessed halitosis of oral origin; excluding induced… · mean 3 months
Interventions for managing halitosis (2019) · Cochrane
Patient-reported OLT score: listed in the Summary of findings table but no data reported. No data were reported for patient-reported OLT score.0 studiesNo studies
Salvadora persica (miswak) mouthrinse vs Chlorhexidine mouthrinse
Post-intervention mean plaque score · Medically healthy individuals (adults and children, 6-60 years) · Post-intervention, Study quality: moderate-quality studies
The antiplaque/anticariogenic efficacy of Salvadora persica (Miswak) mouthrinse in comparison to that of… (2019)
MD 0.19 [-0.11, 0.50]10 studies · 616 participantsUngraded
Halita mouthwash (chlorhexidine 0.05% + cetylpyridinium chloride 0.05% + zinc lactate 0.14%) vs Placebo mouthwash
Dentist-reported organoleptic test (OLT) score (scale 0 to 5) · Adolescents and adults aged over 16 years with clinical or self-assessed halitosis of oral origin; excluding induced… · mean 2 weeks
Interventions for managing halitosis (2019) · Cochrane
MD -1.0 [-1.65, -0.35]1 study · 40 participantsVery low
Halita mouthrinse vs Perio-plus mouthrinse
Volatile sulphur compounds (VSC), portable gas chromatograph · Adolescents and adults aged over 16 years with clinical or self-assessed halitosis of oral origin; excluding induced… · 8 days
Interventions for managing halitosis (2019) · Cochrane
MD -25.0 [-64.21, 14.21]1 study · 36 participantsUngraded
Cetylpyridinium chloride mouthwash vs Placebo mouthwash
Dentist-reported organoleptic test (OLT) score (scale 0 to 5) · Adolescents and adults aged over 16 years with clinical or self-assessed halitosis of oral origin; excluding induced… · mean 2 weeks
Interventions for managing halitosis (2019) · Cochrane
MD -0.5 [-0.83, -0.17]1 study · 47 participantsVery low
Chlorine dioxide + zinc mouthwash vs Placebo mouthwash
Volatile sulphur compounds (VSC), halimeter · Adolescents and adults aged over 16 years with clinical or self-assessed halitosis of oral origin; excluding induced… · 2 weeks
Interventions for managing halitosis (2019) · Cochrane
MD -20.53 [-38.52, -2.54]1 study · 41 participantsUngraded
Essential oil mouthwash vs Placebo mouthwash
Dentist-reported organoleptic test (OLT) score (scale 0 to 5) · Adolescents and adults aged over 16 years with clinical or self-assessed halitosis of oral origin; excluding induced… · mean 2 weeks
Interventions for managing halitosis (2019) · Cochrane
MD -0.09 [-0.47, 0.29]1 study · 45 participantsVery low
Cinnamon herbal mouthwash; Nanosil (hydrogen peroxide) mouthwash; Irsha mouthwash vs Water (negative control) and zinc solution (positive control)
Volatile sulphur compounds (VSC), halimeter · Adolescents and adults aged over 16 years with clinical or self-assessed halitosis of oral origin; excluding induced…
Interventions for managing halitosis (2019) · Cochrane
Talebian 2009 (cross-over study) tested cinnamon herbal, Nanosil and Irsha mouthwashes versus water (negative control) and zinc solution (positive control); VSC by halimeter. We could not include the results in the…1 studyUngraded
Salvadora persica (miswak) mouthrinse vs Placebo rinse
Post-intervention mean plaque score · Medically healthy individuals (adults and children, 6-60 years) · Post-intervention
The antiplaque/anticariogenic efficacy of Salvadora persica (Miswak) mouthrinse in comparison to that of… (2019)
MD -0.59 [-0.82, -0.35]12 studies · 452 participantsUngraded
Oil water two-phase mouthwash (with cetylpyridinium chloride) vs Control mouthwash
Volatile sulphur compounds (VSC), sulphide monitor · Adolescents and adults aged over 16 years with clinical or self-assessed halitosis of oral origin; excluding induced… · 1 week
Interventions for managing halitosis (2019) · Cochrane
MD -11.0 [-25.26, 3.26]1 study · 50 participantsUngraded
Triclosan mouthwash (with and without alcohol); zinc lactate + chlorhexidine + cetylpyridinium mouthwash vs Placebo mouthwash
Volatile sulphur compounds (VSC) and OLT scores · Adolescents and adults aged over 16 years with clinical or self-assessed halitosis of oral origin; excluding induced…
Interventions for managing halitosis (2019) · Cochrane
Lopez Jornet 2003 (4-arm RCT) compared triclosan mouthwash with and without alcohol and a zinc lactate + chlorhexidine + cetylpyridinium mouthwash versus placebo mouthwash (VSC by halimeter and OLT). We could not…1 studyUngraded
Toothbrushing + 0.075% cetylpyridinium chloride mouthwash vs Toothbrushing
Dentist-reported organoleptic test (OLT) score (scale 0 to 5) · Adolescents and adults aged over 16 years with clinical or self-assessed halitosis of oral origin; excluding induced… · mean 3 weeks
Interventions for managing halitosis (2019) · Cochrane
MD -0.48 [-0.72, -0.24]1 study · 70 participantsLow
Chlorhexidine 0.12% mouthrinse vs Pre-treatment (baseline, same group)
Mean plaque score (pre- vs post-treatment) · Medically healthy individuals (adults and children, 6-60 years) · Pre- vs post-treatment, Chlorhexidine concentration: 0.12%
The antiplaque/anticariogenic efficacy of Salvadora persica (Miswak) mouthrinse in comparison to that of… (2019)
MD 1.79 [1.39, 2.19]2 studies · 126 participantsUngraded
Essential oil mouthwash vs Placebo mouthwash
Volatile sulphur compounds (VSC), halimeter · Adolescents and adults aged over 16 years with clinical or self-assessed halitosis of oral origin; excluding induced…
Interventions for managing halitosis (2019) · Cochrane
Garcia 2014 (2-arm RCT) compared essential oil mouthwash versus placebo mouthwash (VSC by halimeter). We could not include the results in the meta-analysis because of the missing SD and P value.1 studyUngraded
Miswak (Salvadora persica) mouthwash vs Chlorhexidine mouthwash
Dentist-reported organoleptic test (OLT) score (scale 0 to 5) · Adolescents and adults aged over 16 years with clinical or self-assessed halitosis of oral origin; excluding induced… · mean 1 week
Interventions for managing halitosis (2019) · Cochrane
MD 0.01 [-0.95, 0.97]1 study · 21 participantsVery low
Salvadora persica (miswak) mouthrinse vs Pre-treatment (baseline, same group)
Mean plaque score (pre- vs post-treatment) · Medically healthy individuals (adults and children, 6-60 years) · Pre- vs post-treatment
The antiplaque/anticariogenic efficacy of Salvadora persica (Miswak) mouthrinse in comparison to that of… (2019)
MD 0.46 [0.29, 0.63]12 studies · 310 participantsUngraded
Miswak (Salvadora persica) mouthwash vs Chlorhexidine mouthwash
Patient self-assessment VAS (scale 0 to 10) · Adolescents and adults aged over 16 years with clinical or self-assessed halitosis of oral origin; excluding induced… · mean 1 week
Interventions for managing halitosis (2019) · Cochrane
MD -0.18 [-1.59, 1.23]1 study · 21 participantsVery low
Patient-used 250 ppm F mouthrinse (100 ppm amine F/150 ppm NaF), daily vs 0 ppm F placebo mouthrinse, daily
Number of participants with more severe DLs (severity of DLs) · Orthodontic patients of any age with fixed braces (new DLs assessed at debond) · At debond (end of orthodontic treatment)
Fluorides for preventing early tooth decay (demineralised lesions) during fixed brace treatment (2019) · Cochrane
SoF 4. Number of participants with more severe DLs: none of the trials reported this outcome.0 studiesNo studies
Toothbrushing + 0.075% cetylpyridinium chloride mouthwash vs Toothbrushing
Patient-reported OLT score · Adolescents and adults aged over 16 years with clinical or self-assessed halitosis of oral origin; excluding induced… · mean 3 weeks
Interventions for managing halitosis (2019) · Cochrane
Patient-reported OLT score: listed in the Summary of findings table but no data reported. No data were reported for patient-reported OLT score.0 studiesNo studies
Chlorine dioxide mouthrinse (with tongue scraping) vs Chlorhexidine mouthwash (with tongue scraping)
VSC: hydrogen sulphide · Adolescents and adults aged over 16 years with clinical or self-assessed halitosis of oral origin; excluding induced… · 1 week
Interventions for managing halitosis (2019) · Cochrane
MD -11.0 [-31.61, 9.61]1 study · 22 participantsUngraded
Salvadora persica (miswak) mouthrinse vs Chlorhexidine mouthrinse
Post-intervention mean plaque score · Medically healthy individuals (adults and children, 6-60 years) · Post-intervention, Duration of mouthwash use: <3 weeks
The antiplaque/anticariogenic efficacy of Salvadora persica (Miswak) mouthrinse in comparison to that of… (2019)
MD 0.15 [0.01, 0.29]11 studies · 482 participantsUngraded
Mouthwash (amine/stannous fluoride; or chlorhexidine + cetylpyridinium + zinc) vs Chlorhexidine mouthwash or tap water
OLT and VSC scores · Adolescents and adults aged over 16 years with clinical or self-assessed halitosis of oral origin; excluding induced… · 7 days
Interventions for managing halitosis (2019) · Cochrane
Wigger-Alberti 2010 mouthwash data (ASF; CHX + CPC + Zn; CHX; tap water) were calculated from a graph (Additional Table 1) but not included, as the report did not give details of sample size per group.1 studyUngraded
Chlorhexidine + zinc acetate mouthwash vs Placebo mouthwash
Dentist-reported organoleptic test (OLT) score (scale 0 to 5) · Adolescents and adults aged over 16 years with clinical or self-assessed halitosis of oral origin; excluding induced… · mean 3 months
Interventions for managing halitosis (2019) · Cochrane
MD -0.2 [-0.58, 0.18]1 study · 44 participantsVery low
Chlorhexidine 0.2% mouthrinse vs Pre-treatment (baseline, same group)
Mean plaque score (pre- vs post-treatment) · Medically healthy individuals (adults and children, 6-60 years) · Pre- vs post-treatment, Chlorhexidine concentration: 0.2%
The antiplaque/anticariogenic efficacy of Salvadora persica (Miswak) mouthrinse in comparison to that of… (2019)
MD 0.45 [0.19, 0.70]10 studies · 282 participantsUngraded
Patient-used 250 ppm F mouthrinse (100 ppm amine F/150 ppm NaF), daily vs 0 ppm F placebo mouthrinse, daily
Number of participants with new demineralised lesions (DLs) · Orthodontic patients of any age with fixed braces (new DLs assessed at debond) · At debond; follow-up 24.5 months (assessed with QLF)
Fluorides for preventing early tooth decay (demineralised lesions) during fixed brace treatment (2019) · Cochrane
RR 0.65 [0.37, 1.17]1 study · 81 participantsVery low
Benzethonium chloride mouthwash vs Placebo mouthwash
VSC: hydrogen sulphide · Adolescents and adults aged over 16 years with clinical or self-assessed halitosis of oral origin; excluding induced… · 9 days
Interventions for managing halitosis (2019) · Cochrane
MD -125.1 [-286.32, 36.12]1 study · 20 participantsUngraded
Salvadora persica (miswak) mouthrinse vs Chlorhexidine 0.12% mouthrinse
Post-intervention mean plaque score · Medically healthy individuals (adults and children, 6-60 years) · Post-intervention, Chlorhexidine concentration: 0.12%
The antiplaque/anticariogenic efficacy of Salvadora persica (Miswak) mouthrinse in comparison to that of… (2019)
MD 0.52 [0.35, 0.69]5 studies · 396 participantsUngraded
Salvadora persica (miswak) mouthrinse vs Chlorhexidine mouthrinse
Post-intervention mean plaque score · Medically healthy individuals (adults and children, 6-60 years) · Post-intervention, Study quality: high-quality studies
The antiplaque/anticariogenic efficacy of Salvadora persica (Miswak) mouthrinse in comparison to that of… (2019)
MD 0.19 [0.06, 0.31]8 studies · 286 participantsUngraded
Benzethonium chloride mouthwash vs Placebo mouthwash
VSC: dimethyl sulphide · Adolescents and adults aged over 16 years with clinical or self-assessed halitosis of oral origin; excluding induced… · 9 days
Interventions for managing halitosis (2019) · Cochrane
MD -0.03 [-0.63, 0.57]1 study · 20 participantsUngraded
Cetylpyridinium chloride mouthwash vs Chlorhexidine + zinc mouthwash
Dentist-reported organoleptic test (OLT) score (scale 0 to 5) · Adolescents and adults aged over 16 years with clinical or self-assessed halitosis of oral origin; excluding induced… · mean 2 weeks
Interventions for managing halitosis (2019) · Cochrane
MD -0.33 [-0.72, 0.06]1 study · 44 participantsVery low
Triphala and Ela decoction mouthwash vs Chlorhexidine mouthwash
Dentist-reported organoleptic test (OLT) score (scale 0 to 5) · Adolescents and adults aged over 16 years with clinical or self-assessed halitosis of oral origin; excluding induced… · mean 2 weeks
Interventions for managing halitosis (2019) · Cochrane
MD 0.2 [0.09, 0.31]1 study · 60 participantsVery low
Cetylpyridinium chloride mouthwash vs Chlorhexidine + zinc mouthwash
Volatile sulphur compounds (VSC) · Adolescents and adults aged over 16 years with clinical or self-assessed halitosis of oral origin; excluding induced… · 2 weeks
Interventions for managing halitosis (2019) · Cochrane
MD 0.49 [-8.68, 9.66]1 study · 44 participantsUngraded
Halita mouthrinse vs Perio-plus mouthrinse
Dentist-reported organoleptic test (OLT) score (scale 0 to 5) · Adolescents and adults aged over 16 years with clinical or self-assessed halitosis of oral origin; excluding induced… · mean 8 days
Interventions for managing halitosis (2019) · Cochrane
MD -0.2 [-0.86, 0.46]1 study · 36 participantsVery low
Herbal mouthwash vs Placebo mouthwash
Volatile sulphur compounds (VSC) · Adolescents and adults aged over 16 years with clinical or self-assessed halitosis of oral origin; excluding induced… · 15 days
Interventions for managing halitosis (2019) · Cochrane
MD -70.29 [-121.01, -19.57]1 study · 60 participantsUngraded
Antifibrinolytic therapy - locally-applied tranexamic acid (TXA) mouthwash/solution (SoF eligibility: TXA or EACA; all included trials used topical TXA) vs Placebo (placebo solution/mouthwash)
Number of thromboembolic complications · People on continuous VKA treatment undergoing minor oral surgery or dental extractions (eligibility included DOACs and…
Antifibrinolytic therapy for preventing oral bleeding in people on anticoagulants undergoing minor oral… (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Antifibrinolytic therapy - locally-applied tranexamic acid (TXA) mouthwash/solution (SoF eligibility: TXA or EACA; all included trials used topical TXA) vs Placebo (placebo solution/mouthwash)
Change in haemoglobin level from baseline · People on continuous VKA treatment undergoing minor oral surgery or dental extractions (eligibility included DOACs and…
Antifibrinolytic therapy for preventing oral bleeding in people on anticoagulants undergoing minor oral… (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
1.5% HP + 0.05% HF mouthwash vs Placebo
Tooth whitening - assessed by the dentist · Adults (>=18 years) undergoing home-based bleaching (including tetracycline- and smoking-stained teeth, any baseline… · 6 months
Home‐based chemically‐induced whitening (bleaching) of teeth in adults (2018) · Cochrane
OR 10.89 [5.08, 23.35]1 study · 78 participantsVery low
Antifibrinolytic therapy - locally-applied tranexamic acid (TXA) mouthwash/solution (SoF eligibility: TXA or EACA; all included trials used topical TXA) vs Placebo (placebo solution/mouthwash)
Amount of postoperative blood loss (mL) · People on continuous VKA treatment undergoing minor oral surgery or dental extractions (eligibility included DOACs and…
Antifibrinolytic therapy for preventing oral bleeding in people on anticoagulants undergoing minor oral… (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), mouthwash vs Sucralfate mouthwash
Interruptions to cancer treatment · Adults receiving radiotherapy to the head and neck · RT to head and neck
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: cytokines and… (2017) · Cochrane
RR 0.13 [0.01, 2.36]1 study · 40 participantsUngraded
Topical NSAID (ketoprofen lysinate mouthwash, 160 mg) vs Topical NSAID (benzidamine hydrochloride mouthwash, 22.5 mg)
Time off school or work · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies)
Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane
The study did not report this outcome.0 studiesNo studies
Antiseptic mouthrinse vs Placebo
Drooling (hyposialosis) · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region · 4 weeks from baseline
Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane
RR 1.43 [0.46, 4.39]1 study · 24 participantsUngraded
Topical NSAID (ketoprofen lysinate mouthwash, 160 mg) vs Topical NSAID (benzidamine hydrochloride mouthwash, 22.5 mg)
Failure to complete orthodontic treatment due to pain · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies)
Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane
The study did not report this outcome.0 studiesNo studies
Erythropoietin mouthwash vs Placebo
Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · Adults receiving bone marrow/stem cell transplantation after conditioning therapy for haematological cancers
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: cytokines and… (2017) · Cochrane
RR 0.43 [0.24, 0.79]1 study · 80 participantsUngraded
Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), mouthwash vs Sucralfate mouthwash
Normalcy of diet (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy) · Adults receiving radiotherapy to the head and neck · RT to head and neck
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: cytokines and… (2017) · Cochrane
RR 0.18 [0.01, 3.56]1 study · 40 participantsUngraded
Topical NSAID (ketoprofen lysinate mouthwash, 160 mg) vs Topical NSAID (benzidamine hydrochloride mouthwash, 22.5 mg)
Pain intensity (VAS) · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies) · 4 days (not usable)
Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment (2017) · Cochrane
One study (Lauritano 2000) compared ketoprofen 160 mg with benzidamine chloride 22.5 mg mouthwashes; it presented data at 4 days only, so the data could not be used in this review; no GRADE rating.1 studyUngraded
Erythropoietin mouthwash vs Placebo
Oral mucositis (severe) · Adults receiving bone marrow/stem cell transplantation after conditioning therapy for haematological cancers
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: cytokines and… (2017) · Cochrane
RR 0.40 [0.14, 1.17]1 study · 80 participantsUngraded