Gum chewing (sugar-free) vs Pooled controls: no gum, placebo/control gum, probiotic, or fluoride varnish
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
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of the role of sugar-free chewing gum on Streptococcus mutans. 2021 All outcomesFinal/end-of-study time point (follow-up 2 weeks to 18 months) · Schools, kindergartens, universities and community settings; adults and children; multiple countries · Sensitivity analysis: baseline-to-endpoint correlation 0.95 for SFG armSMD -0.55 [-0.80, -0.30]13 studies · 1335 participantsGRADE not reported
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of the role of sugar-free chewing gum on Streptococcus mutans. 2021 All outcomesFinal/end-of-study time point (follow-up 2 weeks to 18 months) · Schools, kindergartens, universities and community settings; adults and children; multiple countries · Overall (vs all controls)SMD -0.42 [-0.60, -0.25]13 studies · 1335 participantsGRADE not reported