Findings

What do systematic reviews say?

4 questions · 6 findings · 2 reviews · Oral Health

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No studies found 0 · 0%GRADE not reported 6 · 100%Very low 0 · 0%Low 0 · 0%Moderate 0 · 0%High 0 · 0%

Consumption of xylitol chewing gum by women (mothers) vs No chewing gum

Plaque · Adults and children (predominantly adults; one study in children), with natural dentition

Xylitol sugar-free gum significantly reduced plaque quantity versus no-gum/control (SMD -0.743, 95% CI -1.148 to -0.338), with high heterogeneity (I2 = 86.0%; ungraded).

1 finding from 1 review

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Role of Sugar-Free Chewing Gum on Plaque Quantity in the Oral Cavity. 2022 All outcomes
End of study (last reported time point; study durations 4 days to 2 years) · Community, residential care homes, and schools; predominantly adults
SMD -0.743 [-1.148, -0.338]
7 studies
GRADE not reported

Xylitol-only sugar-free chewing gum 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)

Xylitol-only sugar-free gum significantly reduced Streptococcus mutans load versus pooled controls (SMD -0.46, 95% CI -0.64 to -0.28; 12 trials, I2 43%); certainty not formally graded.

1 finding from 1 review

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the role of sugar-free chewing gum on Streptococcus mutans. 2021 All outcomes
Final/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 -0.46 [-0.64, -0.28]
12 studies · 1295 participants
GRADE not reported

Gum chewing (sugar-free) vs No chewing gum

Plaque · Adults and children (predominantly adults; one study in children), with natural dentition

Sugar-free chewing gum significantly reduced plaque quantity versus no-gum/control (SMD -0.778, 95% CI -1.167 to -0.390), with high heterogeneity (I2 = 86.6%) and no GRADE rating (ungraded).

2 findings from 1 review

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Role of Sugar-Free Chewing Gum on Plaque Quantity in the Oral Cavity. 2022 All outcomes
End of study (last reported time point; study durations 4 days to 2 years) · Community, residential care homes, and schools; predominantly adults
SMD -0.778 [-1.167, -0.390]
7 studies
GRADE not reported
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Role of Sugar-Free Chewing Gum on Plaque Quantity in the Oral Cavity. 2022 All outcomes
End of study (last reported time point; study durations 4 days to 2 years) · Community, residential care homes, and schools; predominantly adults · Sensitivity analysis (pre-post correlation set to 0.95 for the SFG group)
SMD -1.098 [-1.539, -0.656]
7 studies
GRADE not reported

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 outcomes
Final/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 arm
SMD -0.55 [-0.80, -0.30]
13 studies · 1335 participants
GRADE not reported
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the role of sugar-free chewing gum on Streptococcus mutans. 2021 All outcomes
Final/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 participants
GRADE not reported