It is very uncertain whether oral irrigation plus toothbrushing changes gingivitis (gingival index) compared with flossing plus toothbrushing (very low certainty).

2 findings from 1 review

Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling periodontal… 2019 · Cochrane All outcomes
1 month
MD -0.06 [-0.12, 0.00]
1 study · 63 participants
Very low
Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling periodontal… 2019 · Cochrane All outcomes
1 month
MD -0.12 [-0.19, -0.05]
2 studies · 133 participants
Low

Oral irrigation plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone

Periodontitis (probing pocket depth) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate)

1 finding from 1 review

Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling periodontal… 2019 · Cochrane All outcomes
Periodontitis measured in one study but useable data not provided (Walsh 1989 reported proportion of sites with >4 mm pocket depth at 3 months but not mean PD; attachment loss measured but no data).
1 study
GRADE not reported

Oral irrigation plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone

Gingivitis · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate)

It is very uncertain whether oral irrigation plus toothbrushing changes gingivitis (gingival index) compared with toothbrushing alone (very low certainty).

2 findings from 1 review

Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling periodontal… 2019 · Cochrane All outcomes
1 month
SMD -0.48 [-0.89, -0.06]
4 studies · 380 participants
Very low
Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling periodontal… 2019 · Cochrane All outcomes
1 month
MD -0.00 [-0.07, 0.06]
2 studies · 126 participants
Low

Oral irrigation plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone

Plaque · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate)

Oral irrigation plus toothbrushing showed no clear difference in plaque compared with toothbrushing alone (low certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling periodontal… 2019 · Cochrane All outcomes
1 month
SMD -0.16 [-0.41, 0.10]
3 studies · 235 participants
Low

Oral irrigation plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone

Side effects · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate)

1 finding from 1 review

Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling periodontal… 2019 · Cochrane All outcomes
Three studies reported that there were no adverse events, one reported one incidence of aphthous ulcer in irrigator group, one reported oral lacerations but found no difference between the interventions, and one did…
5 studies
GRADE not reported

Oral irrigation plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing

Plaque · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate)

It is very uncertain whether oral irrigation plus toothbrushing changes plaque compared with flossing plus toothbrushing (very low certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling periodontal… 2019 · Cochrane All outcomes
1 month
SMD 0.31 [-0.08, 0.70]
2 studies · 133 participants
Very low

Oral irrigation plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing

Side effects · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate)

1 finding from 1 review

Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling periodontal… 2019 · Cochrane All outcomes
Both studies reported that there were no adverse events in either study group.
2 studies
GRADE not reported