Change in Mutans streptococci (MS) count in saliva · healthy people
Xylitol significantly reduced Mutans streptococci in saliva compared with no intervention (SMD -1.47, 95% CI -1.94 to -0.99; 3 trials), though heterogeneity was very high (I2=98%); not GRADE-rated.
1 finding from 1 review
Failure to complete orthodontic treatment due to pain · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies)
The review found no eligible studies for this question.
1 finding from 1 review
Patient‐reported pain intensity or pain relief (VAS, NRS or categorical scale) · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies)
It is very uncertain whether topical NSAID (ketoprofen chewing gum) changes pain intensity (VAS 0-100 mm) compared with local anaesthetic (benzocaine chewing gum) (very low certainty).
1 finding from 1 review
Time off school or work · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies)
The review found no eligible studies for this question.
1 finding from 1 review
Quality of life or participant satisfaction · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies)
The review found no eligible studies for this question.
1 finding from 1 review
Adverse events · People undergoing orthodontic treatment (any age; 9 to 34 years in included studies)
The review found no eligible studies for this question.
1 finding from 1 review
Streptococcus mutans load in the oral cavity (saliva and/or dental plaque) · Adults and children (general population)
In a sensitivity analysis assuming a 0.95 baseline-to-endpoint correlation for the sugar-free gum arm, the effect remained significant (SMD -0.55, 95% CI -0.80 to -0.30; 13 trials, I2 73%); certainty not formally graded.
2 findings from 1 review
Patient‐reported pain intensity or pain relief (VAS, NRS or categorical scale) · Adolescents/teenagers undergoing orthodontic treatment
Experimental chewing adjuncts (bite wafers or chewing gum) showed no clear difference in patient‐reported pain intensity or pain relief (VAS, NRS or… compared with no chewing gum, placebo, or control (no adjunct); GRADE not reported.
5 findings from 1 review
MD -1.39 [-3.24, 0.64]
1 study · 39 participants
GRADE not reported
MD -29.16 [-51.67, -6.65]
1 study · 39 participants
GRADE not reported
MD -15.17 [-32.44, 2.11]
2 studies · 96 participants
GRADE not reported
Show 2 more findings
MD -15.38 [-28.90, -1.86]
2 studies · 96 participants
Very low
Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment 2016 · Cochrane All outcomes1 day · Bite wafer subgroup (median data, opposite direction)
Otasevic 2006 (84 participants) presented median values only and reported higher median pain in the bite wafer group than the group who avoided chewing at one day (P = 0.006); data not suitable for meta‐analysis.
1 study · 84 participants
GRADE not reported
Adverse effects of pain treatment · Adolescents/teenagers undergoing orthodontic treatment
The review found no eligible studies for this question.
1 finding from 1 review
Quality of life or patient satisfaction · Adolescents/teenagers undergoing orthodontic treatment
Experimental chewing adjuncts (bite wafers or chewing gum) led to lower quality of life or patient satisfaction compared with no chewing gum, placebo, or control (no adjunct); GRADE not reported.
1 finding from 1 review
Dose/intensity and frequency of pain relief needed (analgesic/rescue medication use) · Adolescents/teenagers undergoing orthodontic treatment
1 finding from 1 review
Adverse effects · Adults (>=18 years) undergoing home-based bleaching (including tetracycline- and smoking-stained teeth, any baseline shade)
The review found no eligible studies for this question.
1 finding from 1 review
Not reported
Studies not reported
No studies found
Adverse effects · Adults (>=18 years) undergoing home-based bleaching (including tetracycline- and smoking-stained teeth, any baseline shade)
The review found no eligible studies for this question.
1 finding from 1 review
Not reported
Studies not reported
No studies found
Self-reported thirst · Elderly (>60 years) and medically compromised adults with xerostomia / dry mouth
Gum chewing reduced self-reported thirst in most studies (6 of 7 positive, 1 no effect); not meta-analyzed.
1 finding from 1 review
Salivary flow rate · Elderly (>60 years) and medically compromised adults with xerostomia / dry mouth
Across 19 studies the effect of gum chewing on stimulated and/or unstimulated salivary flow rate was mixed (9 positive, 10 no effect); this broad outcome was not meta-analyzed.
1 finding from 1 review
The effect of gum chewing on xerostomia and salivary flow rate in elderly and medically compromised subjects: a… 2023 All outcomesVarious (single session to 12 months) · Haemodialysis units, elderly / geriatric care, cancer and palliative care, and xerostomia / hyposalivation clinics (studies from multiple countries)
Narrative vote-count: of 19 studies measuring stimulated and/or unstimulated saliva flow rate, 9 found a positive effect of gum chewing [17,18,22,24,27,35,36,38,39] and 10 detected no effect…
19 studies
GRADE not reported
Salivary flow rate (unstimulated) · Elderly (>60 years) and medically compromised adults with xerostomia / dry mouth
In elderly and medically compromised people with xerostomia, chewing sugar-free gum daily for two or more weeks produces a small but statistically significant increase in unstimulated whole salivary flow rate versus no gum (SMD 0.44, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.66); certainty of evidence was not formally graded.
1 finding from 1 review
Dry mouth (xerostomia) · Elderly (>60 years) and medically compromised adults with xerostomia / dry mouth
Gum chewing was linked with improved self-reported xerostomia / dry mouth in most studies (12 of 17 positive, 5 no effect); heterogeneous instruments precluded meta-analysis.
1 finding from 1 review
The effect of gum chewing on xerostomia and salivary flow rate in elderly and medically compromised subjects: a… 2023 All outcomesVarious (single session to 3 months) · Haemodialysis units, elderly / geriatric care, cancer and palliative care, and xerostomia / hyposalivation clinics (studies from multiple countries)
Narrative vote-count: of 17 studies measuring self-reported xerostomia / dry mouth, 12 found a positive effect of gum chewing [18,19,21,23,24,25,26,27,30,31,38,40] and 5 detected no effect [17,29,33,34,37]. No study…
17 studies
GRADE not reported
Unstimulated whole saliva (UWS) · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's syndrome, radiotherapy,…
1 finding from 1 review
Aagaard 1992 (crossover, n=43): approximately 50% of participants had an increase in unstimulated whole saliva from all products; unclear how many completed the trial; no usable data.
1 study · 43 participants
GRADE not reported
Patient preference · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's syndrome, radiotherapy,…
1 finding from 1 review
Tooth whitening - assessed by the dentist · Adults (>=18 years) undergoing home-based bleaching (including tetracycline- and smoking-stained teeth, any baseline shade)
It is very uncertain whether 4% SHMP chewing gum changes tooth whitening - assessed by the dentist compared with placebo (very low certainty).
1 finding from 1 review