Findings

What do systematic reviews say?

5 questions · 11 findings · 4 reviews · Periodontology

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No studies found 0 · 0%GRADE not reported 8 · 72.7%Very low 1 · 9.1%Low 0 · 0%Moderate 2 · 18.2%High 0 · 0%

Periodontal treatment (scaling and root planing, polishing, or surgery), alone or with oral hygiene counselling, antiseptics, or antimicrobials vs no treatment

Plaque index (PI) / oral hygiene · Pregnant women considered to have periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) after dental examination

1 finding from 1 review

Treating periodontal disease for preventing adverse birth outcomes in pregnant women 2017 · Cochrane All outcomes
Reported as a secondary periodontal outcome (Analysis 1.8); results not meta-analysed due to considerable heterogeneity (I2 91% to 100%); reduction in favour of periodontal treatment.
2 studies
GRADE not reported

Clear aligners (Invisalign / thermoformed aligners) vs Conventional orthodontic appliance treatment

Plaque · Orthodontic patients undergoing comprehensive treatment (late mixed or permanent dentition, no active caries)

In randomized trials, clear aligners probably reduce plaque accumulation versus fixed appliances, though the subgroup estimate is imprecise and its CI crosses no effect (SMD -1.79, 95% CI -3.63 to 0.04; moderate certainty).

6 findings from 1 review

White spot lesions, plaque accumulation and salivary caries-associated bacteria in clear aligners compared to fixed… 2023 All outcomes
Range 1 to 18 months (maximum time-point per study) · University/hospital orthodontic clinics and private practice (multiple countries) · Study design: randomized controlled trials
SMD -1.79 [-3.63, 0.04]
3 studies · 111 participants
Moderate
White spot lesions, plaque accumulation and salivary caries-associated bacteria in clear aligners compared to fixed… 2023 All outcomes
6 months · University/hospital orthodontic clinics and private practice (multiple countries) · Follow-up: 6 months
SMD -2.04 [-3.37, -0.70]
5 studies · 253 participants
GRADE not reported
White spot lesions, plaque accumulation and salivary caries-associated bacteria in clear aligners compared to fixed… 2023 All outcomes
Range 1 to 12 months (maximum time-point per study) · University/hospital orthodontic clinics and private practice (multiple countries) · Study design: non-randomized studies of interventions
SMD -1.46 [-2.77, -0.15]
5 studies · 246 participants
Moderate

Show 3 more findings

White spot lesions, plaque accumulation and salivary caries-associated bacteria in clear aligners compared to fixed… 2023 All outcomes
3 months · University/hospital orthodontic clinics and private practice (multiple countries) · Follow-up: 3 months
SMD -1.08 [-1.93, -0.24]
5 studies · 211 participants
GRADE not reported
White spot lesions, plaque accumulation and salivary caries-associated bacteria in clear aligners compared to fixed… 2023 All outcomes
Maximum reported time-point per study (range 1-18 months) · University/hospital orthodontic clinics and private practice (multiple countries)
SMD -1.58 [-2.57, -0.58]
8 studies · 357 participants
GRADE not reported
White spot lesions, plaque accumulation and salivary caries-associated bacteria in clear aligners compared to fixed… 2023 All outcomes
12 months · University/hospital orthodontic clinics and private practice (multiple countries) · Follow-up: 12 months
SMD -2.14 [-3.64, -0.64]
3 studies · 113 participants
GRADE not reported

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

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

Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone

Plaque · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate)

It is very uncertain whether interdental brushing plus toothbrushing changes plaque (Quigley & Hein plaque index, Turesky modification; scale 0… compared with toothbrushing alone (very low certainty).

1 finding from 1 review · compare the 2 reviews

Interdental brushing for the prevention and control of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults 2013 · Cochrane All outcomes
4 weeks (1 month)
MD -0.95 [-1.34, -0.56]
1 study · 62 participants
Very low