What do systematic reviews say?

Fluoride toothpaste containing 10% xylitol vs Fluoride toothpaste alone

• Xylitol‐containing products for preventing dental caries in children and adults 2015 · Cochrane All outcomes

  2.5 to 3 years
  Adverse effects: both studies reported that there were no adverse effects in either the xylitol or control group.
  2 studies · 4216 participants
  GRADE not reported

Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs placebo or no treatment

• Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents 2003 · Cochrane All outcomes
  Data on adverse effects (stain score, proportion of children with tooth staining, signs of sensitivity in oral soft tissue, adverse symptoms such as nausea/vomiting, etching of enamel) were reported in only a few…
  Studies not reported
  GRADE not reported

Resin composite restorations containing antibacterial agents vs Non-antibacterial containing composite restorations

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Antibacterial agents in composite restorations for the prevention of dental caries 2013 · Cochrane All outcomes
  No studies were included in this review, as we were unable to find any trials directly comparing antibacterial containing composites to other active interventions or controls.
  0 studies
  No studies found

Fluoride mouthrinse, gel or varnish combined with fluoride toothpaste (any combined regimen) vs Fluoride toothpaste alone

• Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride for… 2004 · Cochrane All outcomes
  Adverse-effect data scarcely reported: a stain score in one trial and 'any side effects' in one trial without complete or useable data (stated 'no side effects observed in both groups'). No useful information on tooth…
  Studies not reported
  GRADE not reported

Xylitol lozenges (4.7 g/day) vs no treatment

• Xylitol‐containing products for preventing dental caries in children and adults 2015 · Cochrane All outcomes

  24 months (48-month follow-up)
  There were no usable data presented for adverse effects. Lenkkeri 2012.
  1 study
  GRADE not reported

Xylitol candy (7.5 g/day) vs Control (sorbitol) candy

• Xylitol‐containing products for preventing dental caries in children and adults 2015 · Cochrane All outcomes

  36 months
  The authors reported that there were no adverse effects for either group. Honkala 2014.
  1 study · 252 participants
  GRADE not reported

Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) vs Other methods (pooled: ART/glass ionomer cement, nano-silver fluoride, sodium fluoride varnish, placebo)

SDF commonly causes black staining of arrested lesions; only mild, transient adverse events were reported, with no major adverse events (ungraded).

• The role of silver diamine fluoride as dental caries preventive and arresting agent: a systematic review and… 2024 All outcomes

  up to 30 months · Children/adults with dental caries; multiple countries; community/clinic care setting not clearly specified
  Black staining of arrested lesions reported in most studies; 4 studies reported mild transient events (gingival blenching/pain; diarrhea/stomachache; burning, bad taste, pain, mouth injury, dissatisfaction with…
  Studies not reported
  GRADE not reported

Xylitol wipes (4.2 g/day) vs Control wipes (no xylitol)

• Xylitol‐containing products for preventing dental caries in children and adults 2015 · Cochrane All outcomes

  12 months
  The authors reported that there were no adverse effects for either group. Zhan 2012.
  1 study · 44 participants
  GRADE not reported

Xylitol syrup (high dose, 8 g/day) vs Control (low-dose xylitol, 2.67 g/day) syrup

• Xylitol‐containing products for preventing dental caries in children and adults 2015 · Cochrane All outcomes

  12 months
  Adverse effects were not reported in a usable format, but the reported rates of loose stools and diarrhoea were very similar between groups. There were no serious adverse effects during the study. Milgrom 2009.
  1 study · 94 participants
  GRADE not reported

Xylitol lozenges (5 g/day) vs placebo control

• Xylitol‐containing products for preventing dental caries in children and adults 2015 · Cochrane All outcomes

  33 months
  Patterns of adverse effects (sores in the mouth, cramps, bloating, constipation, flatulence, and loose stool or diarrhoea) were similar for both groups. Bader 2013.
  1 study · 669 participants
  GRADE not reported