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Each row is one question a systematic review asked: who, what, compared with what, and which outcome, with the effect it found and how certain that is. Words match anywhere in the field.
793 questions in 32 reviews · Periodontology
current versionsNo studies 148 · 18.7%Ungraded 429 · 54.1%Very low 137 · 17.3%Low 53 · 6.7%Moderate 14 · 1.8%High 12 · 1.5%
Ungraded means an effect was reported without a GRADE rating; it is not a gap. No studies means the review found nothing to answer the question. The six categories are a display order, not a score.
| Question | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Salvadora persica (miswak) mouthrinse vs Placebo rinse Post-treatment Lactobacillus count · Medically healthy individuals (adults and children, 6-60 years) · Post-treatment The antiplaque/anticariogenic efficacy of Salvadora persica (Miswak) mouthrinse in comparison to that of… (2019) | MD -1.12 [-1.45, -0.79] | 2 studies · 60 participants | Ungraded |
Oral irrigation plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone Plaque · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) · 1 month Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | SMD -0.16 [-0.41, 0.10] | 3 studies · 235 participants | Low |
Salvadora persica (miswak) mouthrinse vs Pre-treatment (baseline, same group) Streptococcus mutans count (pre- vs post-treatment) · Medically healthy individuals (adults and children, 6-60 years) · Pre- vs post-treatment The antiplaque/anticariogenic efficacy of Salvadora persica (Miswak) mouthrinse in comparison to that of… (2019) | MD 1.82 [1.03, 2.62] | 5 studies · 71 participants | Ungraded |
Rubber/elastomeric cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Interproximal caries · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | No included study assessed caries as an outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone Interproximal caries · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | No included study assessed caries as an outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Flossing plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone Gingivitis (gingival index) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) · 1 month Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | SMD -0.58 [-1.12, -0.04] | 8 studies · 585 participants | Low |
Salvadora persica (miswak) mouthrinse vs Chlorhexidine mouthrinse Post-intervention mean plaque score · Medically healthy individuals (adults and children, 6-60 years) · Post-intervention, Refrained from mechanical plaque control The antiplaque/anticariogenic efficacy of Salvadora persica (Miswak) mouthrinse in comparison to that of… (2019) | MD 0.22 [0.05, 0.39] | 7 studies · 308 participants | Ungraded |
Placebo rinse vs Pre-treatment (baseline, same group) Mean plaque score (pre- vs post-treatment) · Medically healthy individuals (adults and children, 6-60 years) · Pre- vs post-treatment The antiplaque/anticariogenic efficacy of Salvadora persica (Miswak) mouthrinse in comparison to that of… (2019) | MD -0.19 [-0.39, 0.02] | 7 studies · 152 participants | Ungraded |
Oral irrigation plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone Gingivitis (proportion of bleeding sites) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) · 1 month Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | MD -0.00 [-0.07, 0.06] | 2 studies · 126 participants | Low |
Salvadora persica (miswak) mouthrinse vs Chlorhexidine mouthrinse Post-intervention mean plaque score · Medically healthy individuals (adults and children, 6-60 years) · Post-intervention, Study quality: moderate-quality studies The antiplaque/anticariogenic efficacy of Salvadora persica (Miswak) mouthrinse in comparison to that of… (2019) | MD 0.19 [-0.11, 0.50] | 10 studies · 616 participants | Ungraded |
Oral irrigation plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Gingivitis (proportion of bleeding sites) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) · 1 month Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | MD -0.12 [-0.19, -0.05] | 2 studies · 133 participants | Low |
Salvadora persica (miswak) mouthrinse vs Placebo rinse Post-treatment Streptococcus mutans count · Medically healthy individuals (adults and children, 6-60 years) · Post-treatment The antiplaque/anticariogenic efficacy of Salvadora persica (Miswak) mouthrinse in comparison to that of… (2019) | MD -1.42 [-2.08, -0.76] | 5 studies · 142 participants | Ungraded |
Oral irrigation plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone Harms and adverse effects · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | 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 | Ungraded |
Salvadora persica (miswak) mouthrinse vs Placebo rinse Post-intervention mean plaque score · Medically healthy individuals (adults and children, 6-60 years) · Post-intervention The antiplaque/anticariogenic efficacy of Salvadora persica (Miswak) mouthrinse in comparison to that of… (2019) | MD -0.59 [-0.82, -0.35] | 12 studies · 452 participants | Ungraded |
Flossing plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone Plaque · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) · 1 month Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | SMD -0.42 [-0.85, 0.02] | 7 studies · 542 participants | Very low |
Rubber/elastomeric cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing Gingivitis (gingival index) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) · 4 to 6 weeks Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | MD 0.10 [-0.32, 0.52] | 1 study · 61 participants | Very low |
Rubber/elastomeric cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone Harms and adverse effects · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | Harms and adverse outcomes: Not reported (neither study reported on adverse effects). | 0 studies | No studies |
Chlorhexidine 0.12% mouthrinse vs Pre-treatment (baseline, same group) Mean plaque score (pre- vs post-treatment) · Medically healthy individuals (adults and children, 6-60 years) · Pre- vs post-treatment, Chlorhexidine concentration: 0.12% The antiplaque/anticariogenic efficacy of Salvadora persica (Miswak) mouthrinse in comparison to that of… (2019) | MD 1.79 [1.39, 2.19] | 2 studies · 126 participants | Ungraded |
Rubber/elastomeric cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone Periodontitis (probing pocket depth) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | One study measured probing pocket depth but no data were reported (Graziani 2017 mentioned PPD as outcome but no data). | 1 study | Ungraded |
Wooden cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone Interproximal caries · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | No included study assessed caries as an outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Salvadora persica (miswak) mouthrinse vs Pre-treatment (baseline, same group) Mean plaque score (pre- vs post-treatment) · Medically healthy individuals (adults and children, 6-60 years) · Pre- vs post-treatment The antiplaque/anticariogenic efficacy of Salvadora persica (Miswak) mouthrinse in comparison to that of… (2019) | MD 0.46 [0.29, 0.63] | 12 studies · 310 participants | Ungraded |
Placebo rinse vs Pre-treatment (baseline, same group) Streptococcus mutans count (pre- vs post-treatment) · Medically healthy individuals (adults and children, 6-60 years) · Pre- vs post-treatment The antiplaque/anticariogenic efficacy of Salvadora persica (Miswak) mouthrinse in comparison to that of… (2019) | MD 0.34 [-0.07, 0.76] | 5 studies · 71 participants | Ungraded |
Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone Periodontitis (probing pocket depth) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | One study measured probing pocket depth but no data were reported (Graziani 2017). | 1 study | Ungraded |
Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Interproximal caries · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | No included study assessed caries as an outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Wooden cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Gingivitis (gingival index) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | Gingivitis measured by gingival index: Not measured. | 0 studies | No studies |
Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone Harms and adverse effects · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | Harms and adverse outcomes (SoF): Neither study reported any information about adverse events. Jared 2005 assessed adverse events (participants issued a symptom diary) but did not report the findings; Graziani 2017 did… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Salvadora persica (miswak) mouthrinse vs Chlorhexidine mouthrinse Post-intervention mean plaque score · Medically healthy individuals (adults and children, 6-60 years) · Post-intervention, Duration of mouthwash use: <3 weeks The antiplaque/anticariogenic efficacy of Salvadora persica (Miswak) mouthrinse in comparison to that of… (2019) | MD 0.15 [0.01, 0.29] | 11 studies · 482 participants | Ungraded |
Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone Gingivitis (proportion of bleeding sites) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) · 1 month Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | MD -0.05 [-0.13, 0.03] | 1 study · 31 participants | Very low |
Wooden cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Harms and adverse effects · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | Harms and adverse outcomes: Not reported (neither study reported on adverse effects). | 0 studies | No studies |
Rubber/elastomeric cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone Plaque · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) · 1 month Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | MD -0.22 [-0.41, -0.03] | 1 study · 30 participants | Very low |
Rubber/elastomeric cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing Interproximal caries · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | No included study assessed caries as an outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Chlorhexidine 0.2% mouthrinse vs Pre-treatment (baseline, same group) Mean plaque score (pre- vs post-treatment) · Medically healthy individuals (adults and children, 6-60 years) · Pre- vs post-treatment, Chlorhexidine concentration: 0.2% The antiplaque/anticariogenic efficacy of Salvadora persica (Miswak) mouthrinse in comparison to that of… (2019) | MD 0.45 [0.19, 0.70] | 10 studies · 282 participants | Ungraded |
Wooden cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone Harms and adverse effects · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | Harms and adverse outcomes: Not reported (neither study reported on adverse effects). | 0 studies | No studies |
Salvadora persica (miswak) mouthrinse vs Chlorhexidine 0.12% mouthrinse Post-intervention mean plaque score · Medically healthy individuals (adults and children, 6-60 years) · Post-intervention, Chlorhexidine concentration: 0.12% The antiplaque/anticariogenic efficacy of Salvadora persica (Miswak) mouthrinse in comparison to that of… (2019) | MD 0.52 [0.35, 0.69] | 5 studies · 396 participants | Ungraded |
Rubber/elastomeric cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing Harms and adverse effects · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | Harms and adverse outcomes (SoF): Not reported. Yost 2006 performed examinations of the oral soft tissue at the final visit but did not report the findings; Graziani 2017 and Smith 1988 did not measure adverse effects. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Oral irrigation plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Plaque · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) · 1 month Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | SMD 0.31 [-0.08, 0.70] | 2 studies · 133 participants | Very low |
Rubber/elastomeric cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing Periodontitis (probing pocket depth) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | Two studies measured periodontitis but data not presented or usable (Smith 1988 PPD unusable; Graziani 2017 measured PPD but no data). | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Salvadora persica (miswak) mouthrinse vs Chlorhexidine mouthrinse Post-intervention mean plaque score · Medically healthy individuals (adults and children, 6-60 years) · Post-intervention, Study quality: high-quality studies The antiplaque/anticariogenic efficacy of Salvadora persica (Miswak) mouthrinse in comparison to that of… (2019) | MD 0.19 [0.06, 0.31] | 8 studies · 286 participants | Ungraded |
Oral irrigation plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone Interproximal caries · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | No included study assessed caries as an outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Rubber/elastomeric cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone Interproximal caries · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | No included study assessed caries as an outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Periodontitis (probing pocket depth) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) · 4 to 6 weeks Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | MD -0.06 [-0.27, 0.16] | 3 studies · 107 participants | Low |
Rubber/elastomeric cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone Gingivitis (gingival index) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) · 1 month Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | MD -0.01 [-0.19, 0.21] | 1 study · 12 participants | Very low |
Wooden cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone Periodontitis (probing pocket depth) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | No included study assessed periodontitis as an outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Oral irrigation plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Interproximal caries · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | No included study assessed caries as an outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Wooden cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Interproximal caries · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | No included study assessed caries as an outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Flossing plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone Periodontitis (probing pocket depth) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | One study measured probing pocket depth but no data were reported (Graziani 2017). | 1 study | Ungraded |
Oral irrigation plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Harms and adverse effects · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | Both studies reported that there were no adverse events in either study group. | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Wooden cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Gingivitis (proportion of bleeding sites) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) · 3 months Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | MD 0.01 [-0.12, 0.14] | 1 study · 24 participants | Very low |
Rubber/elastomeric cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Gingivitis (proportion of bleeding sites) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) · 1 month Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | MD -0.03 [-0.08, 0.03] | 5 studies · 212 participants | Low |
Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing Harms and adverse effects · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate) Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane | Five studies reported there were no adverse events. Two studies reported on problems with the use of interdental brushes or floss, which sometimes caused soreness. (Six studies reported on adverse events; none… | 6 studies | Ungraded |