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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.
149 questions in 24 reviews · cluster CL0141
current versionsNo 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
| Question | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), mouthwash vs Sucralfate mouthwash Oral mucositis (severe) · 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 0.54 [0.24, 1.21] | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Chlorhexidine mouthrinse (any concentration; 0.05% to 0.2%) used in conjunction with mechanical oral hygiene procedures vs Placebo/control mouthrinse, or no mouthrinse (mechanical oral hygiene alone); controls pooled (protocol's separate comparisons versus mechanical oral hygiene alone and versus placebo/control merged) Dental plaque (various plaque indices) · Children or adults with gingivitis or periodontitis capable of performing normal mechanical oral hygiene procedures… · 6 months Chlorhexidine mouthrinse as an adjunctive treatment for gingival health (2017) · Cochrane | SMD -1.43 [-1.76, -1.10] | 11 studies · 2075 participants | High |
Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), mouthwash vs Sucralfate mouthwash Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · 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 0.96 [0.80, 1.14] | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Antiseptic mouthrinse vs Placebo Survival · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | No survival data were reported. | 0 studies | No studies |
Erythropoietin mouthwash vs Placebo Oral mucositis (any severity) · 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 0.35 [0.21, 0.60] | 1 study · 80 participants | Ungraded |
Antiseptic mouthrinse vs Placebo Xerostomia · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | No data on xerostomia were reported. | 0 studies | No studies |
Erythropoietin mouthwash vs Placebo Number of days in hospital · 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 | MD -2.95 [-7.73, 1.83] | 1 study · 80 participants | Ungraded |
Chlorhexidine mouthrinse (any concentration; 0.05% to 0.2%) used in conjunction with mechanical oral hygiene procedures vs Placebo/control mouthrinse, or no mouthrinse (mechanical oral hygiene alone); controls pooled (protocol's separate comparisons versus mechanical oral hygiene alone and versus placebo/control merged) Dental plaque (various plaque indices) · Children or adults with gingivitis or periodontitis capable of performing normal mechanical oral hygiene procedures… · 4 to 6 weeks Chlorhexidine mouthrinse as an adjunctive treatment for gingival health (2017) · Cochrane | SMD -1.45 [-1.90, -1.00] | 12 studies · 950 participants | High |
Chlorhexidine mouthrinse vs Placebo or no intervention (including routine care) Outcome NR · Children and adolescents below 18 years at study start (included studies: children from birth to 15 years), with… Chlorhexidine treatment for the prevention of dental caries in children and adolescents (2015) · Cochrane | There were no trials on other products containing chlorhexidine such as sprays, toothpastes, chewing gums or mouthrinses. | 0 studies | No studies |
Antiseptic mouthwash (e.g. chlorhexidine) vs Another topical agent or placebo Pain relief · HIV‐infected adults (> 13 years of age, per CDC) with one or more painful intraoral aphthous ulcers Topical treatments for HIV‐related oral ulcers (2012) · Cochrane | No studies were included in this review. A total of 233 abstracts were retrieved; 25 were selected as potentially eligible but all were excluded (10 reported systemic rather than topical treatment; 3 non‐RCTs; 6… | 0 studies | No studies |
Antiseptic mouthwash (e.g. chlorhexidine) vs Another topical agent or placebo Duration to heal oral ulcerations after initiation of treatment · HIV‐infected adults (> 13 years of age, per CDC) with one or more painful intraoral aphthous ulcers Topical treatments for HIV‐related oral ulcers (2012) · Cochrane | No studies were included in this review. A total of 233 abstracts were retrieved; 25 were selected as potentially eligible but all were excluded (10 reported systemic rather than topical treatment; 3 non‐RCTs; 6… | 0 studies | No studies |
Antiseptic mouthwash (e.g. chlorhexidine) vs Another topical agent or placebo Healing of ulceration · HIV‐infected adults (> 13 years of age, per CDC) with one or more painful intraoral aphthous ulcers Topical treatments for HIV‐related oral ulcers (2012) · Cochrane | No studies were included in this review. A total of 233 abstracts were retrieved; 25 were selected as potentially eligible but all were excluded (10 reported systemic rather than topical treatment; 3 non‐RCTs; 6… | 0 studies | No studies |
Antiseptic mouthwash (e.g. chlorhexidine) vs Another topical agent or placebo Incidence and recurrence after healing of ulcers · HIV‐infected adults (> 13 years of age, per CDC) with one or more painful intraoral aphthous ulcers Topical treatments for HIV‐related oral ulcers (2012) · Cochrane | No studies were included in this review. A total of 233 abstracts were retrieved; 25 were selected as potentially eligible but all were excluded (10 reported systemic rather than topical treatment; 3 non‐RCTs; 6… | 0 studies | No studies |
Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) mouthwash vs Glycerin mouthwash Improvement in dry mouth ('excellent benefit', dichotomous) · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's… Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane | RR 3.95 [1.17, 13.36] | 1 study · 148 participants | Ungraded |
Allopurinol mouthrinse vs Placebo/no treatment Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane | RR 0.66 [0.5, 0.86] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Allopurinol mouthrinse vs Placebo/no treatment Oral mucositis (any severity) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane | RR 0.77 [0.5, 1.19] | 4 studies | Ungraded |
Various saliva stimulants (chewable tablet, lozenges, chewing gum, CMC mouthrinse/sprays; 8-arm) vs Saliva substitutes / other products Xerostomia (dry mouth relief) · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's… Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane | Bjornstrom 1990 (8-arm crossover, high risk of bias, 106 enrolled, 55 used all 8 products): all products relieved dry mouth and difficulty talking/swallowing 'to some extent'; V6 chewing gum and Salivin lozenge ranked… | 1 study · 106 participants | Ungraded |
Salinum (linseed) mouthwash vs Salinum plus chlorhexidine mouthwash Xerostomia (oral dryness) · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's… Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane | Johansson 2001 (crossover, n=33, Sjogren's syndrome): both products improved oral dryness and chewing/swallowing; Salinum alone reduced speaking problems and burning mouth. Paired data not accounted for; no usable… | 1 study · 33 participants | Ungraded |
OASIS moisturising mouthwash vs Experimental mouthwash formulation Xerostomia (dry mouth) · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's… Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane | Shirodaria 2006 (crossover): OASIS reported to give a statistically significant improvement over subjects' normal remedies, but the report did not present the randomised OASIS-versus-experimental comparison; no data… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Chlorhexidine mouthwash vs Salt and soda mouthwash Mucositis eradicated · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | RR 1.10 [0.90, 1.35] | 1 study · 138 participants | Ungraded |
Listerine mouthwash vs Placebo mouthwash Plaque · Adults with dental implants and peri-implant mucositis at baseline · 3 months Interventions for replacing missing teeth: maintaining and recovering soft tissue health around dental… (2010) · Cochrane | MD -0.88 [-0.93, -0.83] | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
'Magic' mouthwash (lidocaine, diphenhydramine, aluminium hydroxide) vs Salt and soda mouthwash Mucositis eradicated · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | RR 0.98 [0.78, 1.24] | 1 study · 133 participants | Ungraded |
Phenytoin mouthrinse vs Placebo Average pain scores (0-100 VAS) · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | MD -1.70 [-3.85, 0.45] | 1 study · 12 participants | Ungraded |
Chlorhexidine mouthwash vs Salt and soda mouthwash Time to heal mucositis (days) · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | MD -0.40 [-1.49, 0.69] | 1 study · 100 participants | Ungraded |
'Magic' mouthwash (lidocaine, diphenhydramine, aluminium hydroxide) vs Salt and soda mouthwash Average pain scores (0-100 VAS) · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | MD -0.60 [-10.92, 9.72] | 1 study · 57 participants | Ungraded |
'Magic' mouthwash (lidocaine, diphenhydramine, aluminium hydroxide) vs Salt and soda mouthwash Time to heal mucositis (days) · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | MD 0.17 [-0.97, 1.31] | 1 study · 91 participants | Ungraded |
Chlorhexidine mouthwash vs Salt and soda mouthwash Average pain scores (0-100 VAS) · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | MD -3.50 [-13.35, 6.35] | 1 study · 63 participants | Ungraded |
Amine fluoride/stannous fluoride (AmF/SnF2) mouthwash vs Chlorhexidine mouthwash Change in taste · Adults with dental implants and healthy peri-implant soft tissues at baseline · 3 months Interventions for replacing missing teeth: maintaining and recovering soft tissue health around dental… (2010) · Cochrane | MD -0.55 [-1.02, -0.08] | 1 study · 33 participants | Ungraded |
Amine fluoride/stannous fluoride (AmF/SnF2) mouthwash vs Chlorhexidine mouthwash Implant failure · Adults with dental implants and healthy peri-implant soft tissues at baseline · 3 months Interventions for replacing missing teeth: maintaining and recovering soft tissue health around dental… (2010) · Cochrane | RR 0.28 [0.01, 6.43] | 1 study · 33 participants | Ungraded |
Benzydamine hydrochloride mouthwash vs Placebo Improvement in mucositis · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | RR 1.22 [0.94, 1.60] | 2 studies · 102 participants | Ungraded |
Allopurinol mouthwash vs Placebo Improvement in mucositis · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | RR 6.33 [2.18, 18.37] | 1 study · 44 participants | Ungraded |
Allopurinol mouthwash vs Placebo Mucositis eradicated · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | RR 19.00 [1.17, 307.63] | 1 study · 44 participants | Ungraded |
Allopurinol mouthwash vs Placebo Time to heal mucositis (days) · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | MD -4.50 [-5.77, -3.23] | 1 study · 44 participants | Ungraded |
Listerine mouthwash vs Placebo mouthwash Probing pocket depth · Adults with dental implants and peri-implant mucositis at baseline · 3 months Interventions for replacing missing teeth: maintaining and recovering soft tissue health around dental… (2010) · Cochrane | MD 0.15 [0.06, 0.24] | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Listerine mouthwash vs Placebo mouthwash Probing attachment level · Adults with dental implants and peri-implant mucositis at baseline · 3 months Interventions for replacing missing teeth: maintaining and recovering soft tissue health around dental… (2010) · Cochrane | MD 0.07 [-0.11, 0.25] | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Amine fluoride/stannous fluoride (AmF/SnF2) mouthwash vs Chlorhexidine mouthwash Patient satisfaction (desire for future use) · Adults with dental implants and healthy peri-implant soft tissues at baseline · 3 months Interventions for replacing missing teeth: maintaining and recovering soft tissue health around dental… (2010) · Cochrane | MD 2.08 [1.52, 2.64] | 1 study · 33 participants | Ungraded |
Two-phase oil-water mouthrinse (0.05% cetylpyridinium chloride) vs Essential oils mouthrinse (Listerine) Organoleptic assessment of halitosis · Adults over 18 years with a clinical or self-assessed diagnosis of halitosis, without significant comorbidity (e.g.… · 6 weeks Mouthrinses for the treatment of halitosis (2008) · Cochrane | Kozlovsky 1996 (6-week parallel comparison): mean organoleptic score (scale 0 to 5). Two-phase oil-water (0.05% cetylpyridinium chloride): 2.14 (SD 0.88) at baseline to 0.42 (SD 0.55) at week 6 (about 80% reduction);… | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Cetylpyridinium chloride + essential oils + chlorine dioxide + zinc mouthrinse (Breath Rx) vs Placebo Halimeter-assessed volatile sulphur compounds (VSC) (mean change from baseline) · Adults over 18 years with a clinical or self-assessed diagnosis of halitosis, without significant comorbidity (e.g.… · 4 weeks Mouthrinses for the treatment of halitosis (2008) · Cochrane | Borden 2002: mean change in halimeter-assessed VSC (ppb). Breath Rx: -66.84 at 2 weeks (67.65% reduction), -77.87 at 4 weeks (78.82% reduction); Placebo: -39.86 at 2 weeks, -36.77 at 4 weeks (41.75%). No between-group… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Chlorine dioxide + zinc mouthrinse (Oxygene) vs Placebo Halimeter-assessed volatile sulphur compounds (VSC) (mean change from baseline) · Adults over 18 years with a clinical or self-assessed diagnosis of halitosis, without significant comorbidity (e.g.… · 4 weeks Mouthrinses for the treatment of halitosis (2008) · Cochrane | Borden 2002: mean change in halimeter-assessed VSC (ppb). Oxygene: -47.63 at 2 weeks (64.97% reduction), -53.28 at 4 weeks (72.67% reduction); Placebo: -39.86 at 2 weeks, -36.77 at 4 weeks (41.75%). No between-group… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Two-phase oil-water mouthrinse (0.05% cetylpyridinium chloride) vs Essential oils mouthrinse (Listerine) Peak volatile sulphur compounds (VSC) · Adults over 18 years with a clinical or self-assessed diagnosis of halitosis, without significant comorbidity (e.g.… · 6 weeks Mouthrinses for the treatment of halitosis (2008) · Cochrane | Kozlovsky 1996: peak VSC (ppb). Two-phase oil-water (0.05% cetylpyridinium chloride): 94 (SD 36) at baseline to 56 (SD 10) at week 6 (less than 40% reduction); Control essential oils (Listerine): 79 (SD 40) to 56 (SD… | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Pericarp extract of Garcinia mangostana L mouthrinse (herbal) vs Placebo Halimeter-assessed volatile sulphur compounds (VSC) · Adults over 18 years with a clinical or self-assessed diagnosis of halitosis, without significant comorbidity (e.g.… · 15 days Mouthrinses for the treatment of halitosis (2008) · Cochrane | Rassameemasmaung 2007: halimeter-assessed VSC (ppb). Herbal (Garcinia mangostana L): 248.35 (SD 172.30) at baseline to 100.54 (SD 69.37) at day 15 (59.68% reduction, P < 0.05); Placebo: 237.45 (SD 114.15) to 176.83 (SD… | 1 study · 60 participants | Ungraded |
0.05% chlorhexidine + 0.05% cetylpyridinium chloride + 0.14% zinc lactate mouthrinse vs Placebo Organoleptic assessment of halitosis (mean change from baseline) · Adults over 18 years with a clinical or self-assessed diagnosis of halitosis, without significant comorbidity (e.g.… · 2 weeks Mouthrinses for the treatment of halitosis (2008) · Cochrane | Winkel 2003 (2-week trial): mean change (SD) in organoleptic score (scale 0 to 5). 0.05% chlorhexidine + 0.05% cetylpyridinium chloride + 0.14% zinc lactate: -1.13 (1.1), baseline 2.8 (0.5) to 1.5 (1.0) at day 14, P <… | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
0.05% chlorhexidine + 0.05% cetylpyridinium chloride + 0.14% zinc lactate mouthrinse vs Placebo Peak volatile sulphur compounds (VSC) (mean change from baseline) · Adults over 18 years with a clinical or self-assessed diagnosis of halitosis, without significant comorbidity (e.g.… · 2 weeks Mouthrinses for the treatment of halitosis (2008) · Cochrane | Winkel 2003: mean change (SD) in peak VSC (ppb). Mouthrinse: -120 (92), baseline 292 (141) to 172 (104) at day 14, P < 0.005; Placebo: 8 (145), baseline 352 (161) to 360 (254). The mouthrinse caused a significantly… | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Cetylpyridinium chloride + essential oils + chlorine dioxide + zinc mouthrinse (Breath Rx) vs Placebo Organoleptic assessment of halitosis (mean change from baseline) · Adults over 18 years with a clinical or self-assessed diagnosis of halitosis, without significant comorbidity (e.g.… · 4 weeks Mouthrinses for the treatment of halitosis (2008) · Cochrane | Borden 2002: mean change in organoleptic score (scale 0 to 5). Breath Rx (cetylpyridinium chloride + essential oils + chlorine dioxide + zinc): -0.52 at 2 weeks, -0.41 at 4 weeks; Placebo: 0.23 at 2 weeks, 0.16 at 4… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Chlorine dioxide + zinc mouthrinse (Oxygene) vs Placebo Organoleptic assessment of halitosis (mean change from baseline) · Adults over 18 years with a clinical or self-assessed diagnosis of halitosis, without significant comorbidity (e.g.… · 4 weeks Mouthrinses for the treatment of halitosis (2008) · Cochrane | Borden 2002: mean change in organoleptic score (scale 0 to 5). Oxygene (chlorine dioxide + zinc): 0 at 2 weeks, 0.06 at 4 weeks; Placebo: 0.23 at 2 weeks, 0.16 at 4 weeks. Oxygene did not appear to reduce organoleptic… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Zinc chloride + sodium chlorite mouthrinse (TriOral) vs Control mouthrinse (containing neither zinc chloride nor sodium chlorite) Halimeter-assessed volatile sulphur compounds (VSC) · Adults over 18 years with a clinical or self-assessed diagnosis of halitosis, without significant comorbidity (e.g.… · 4 weeks Mouthrinses for the treatment of halitosis (2008) · Cochrane | Codipilly 2004: precise data could not be extracted (results presented as graph plots). Reported VSC reductions from baseline for zinc chloride + sodium chlorite (TriOral): 55% (P < 0.01) at 2 weeks and 60% (P < 0.01)… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Essential oils mouthrinse (Listerine) vs Placebo Organoleptic assessment of halitosis (mean change from baseline) · Adults over 18 years with a clinical or self-assessed diagnosis of halitosis, without significant comorbidity (e.g.… · 4 weeks Mouthrinses for the treatment of halitosis (2008) · Cochrane | Borden 2002: mean change in organoleptic score (scale 0 to 5). Essential oils (Listerine): 0.02 at 2 weeks, 0 at 4 weeks; Placebo: 0.23 at 2 weeks, 0.16 at 4 weeks. Listerine did not reduce organoleptic scores. No… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Essential oils mouthrinse (Listerine) vs Placebo Halimeter-assessed volatile sulphur compounds (VSC) (mean change from baseline) · Adults over 18 years with a clinical or self-assessed diagnosis of halitosis, without significant comorbidity (e.g.… · 4 weeks Mouthrinses for the treatment of halitosis (2008) · Cochrane | Borden 2002: mean change in halimeter-assessed VSC (ppb). Essential oils (Listerine): -43.22 at 2 weeks (48.54% reduction), -68.90 at 4 weeks (77.39% reduction); Placebo: -39.86 at 2 weeks (45.25%), -36.77 at 4 weeks… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Zinc chloride without sodium chlorite mouthrinse (Breath Rx containing cetylpyridinium chloride) vs Control mouthrinse (containing neither zinc chloride nor sodium chlorite) Halimeter-assessed volatile sulphur compounds (VSC) · Adults over 18 years with a clinical or self-assessed diagnosis of halitosis, without significant comorbidity (e.g.… · 4 weeks Mouthrinses for the treatment of halitosis (2008) · Cochrane | Codipilly 2004: reported VSC reduction from baseline for zinc chloride minus sodium chlorite (Breath Rx containing cetylpyridinium chloride): 38% (P < 0.05) at 2 weeks, versus a control containing neither zinc chloride… | 1 study | Ungraded |