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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.
10,375 questions in 429 reviews · Oral Health
current versionsNo studies 1,344 · 13%Ungraded 6,832 · 65.9%Very low 1,228 · 11.8%Low 613 · 5.9%Moderate 290 · 2.8%High 68 · 0.7%
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Allopurinol mouthrinse vs Placebo/no treatment Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane | RR 0.66 [0.5, 0.86] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Prostaglandin vs Placebo Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane | RR 0.95 [0.81, 1.11] | 1 study · 83 participants | Ungraded |
Mucoadhesive disk (carbomer/triglycerides + antimicrobial agents) vs Placebo disk Salivary flow · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's… Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane | No difference in salivary flow rates between active and placebo disks. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Mucin-containing lozenge vs Placebo lozenge Patient preference · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's… Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane | Patient preference strongly favoured the mucin lozenge (P < 0.001, binomial test). | 1 study · 42 participants | Ungraded |
Chinese herbs (medicine) vs Control (Dobell's solution) Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane | RR 0.27 [0.09, 0.77] | 1 study · 147 participants | Ungraded |
Zinc sulphate vs Placebo Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane | RR 0.36 [0.18, 0.71] | 1 study · 27 participants | Ungraded |
Multiple-surface ART restoration using high-viscosity glass ionomer vs None (single-arm survival proportion; no comparator) Restoration survival · Permanent posterior teeth with multiple-surface cavities · 1 year, multiple-surface permanent posterior teeth, 1 year Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.86 [0.59, 0.98] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Flossing plus toothbrushing (self-performed; manual or automated floss) vs Toothbrushing alone (with or without a negative-control/placebo rinse) Economic and resource cost of flossing · Dentate adults aged 16 years or older (excluding orthodontic patients and those with severe periodontal disease) Flossing for the management of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2011) · Cochrane | Not reported. No included study measured the economic or resource cost of flossing; the review notes it may be important to measure in future trials. | 0 studies | No studies |
G-CSF vs Placebo/no treatment Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane | RR 0.81 [0.51, 1.3] | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
ART sealant using high-viscosity glass ionomer (press-finger technique) vs None (single-arm survival proportion; no comparator) Sealant retention (partially and fully retained) · Pits and fissures of permanent (posterior) teeth · 1 year, partially and fully retained high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants in permanent dentitions, 1 year Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.75 [0.51, 0.91] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Allopurinol mouthrinse vs Placebo/no treatment Oral mucositis (any severity) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane | RR 0.77 [0.5, 1.19] | 4 studies | Ungraded |
Buffered 'Prophylin' prophylactic gel vs Placebo (unbuffered gel / water) Salivary flow (salivary secretion rate) · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's… Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane | Attempts to measure saliva secretion failed because the elderly participants were unable to co-operate. | 1 study · 14 participants | Ungraded |
Amifostine vs Placebo/no treatment Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane | RR 0.75 [0.58, 0.96] | 6 studies | Ungraded |
Arthroscopy vs Open surgery Tenderness on palpation in TMJ (clinical evaluation, 12 months) · Adults (older than 18 years) with a temporomandibular disorder (synovitis, disc displacement with or without… · 12 months Arthroscopy for temporomandibular disorders (2011) · Cochrane | Peto OR 0.65 [0.10, 4.04] | 2 studies · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Keratinocyte GF vs Placebo Oral mucositis (severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane | RR 0.72 [0.58, 0.9] | 6 studies · 559 participants | Low |
Intestinal trefoil factor vs Placebo Oral mucositis (any severity) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane | RR 0.52 [0.35, 0.79] | 1 study · 99 participants | Ungraded |
Chlorhexidine vs Cryotherapy (ice chips) Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane | RR 1.13 [0.64, 1.97] | 1 study · 133 participants | Ungraded |
Flossing plus toothbrushing (self-performed; manual or automated floss) vs Toothbrushing alone (with or without a negative-control/placebo rinse) Gingivitis (Loe-Silness/bleeding indices; SMD) · Dentate adults aged 16 years or older (excluding orthodontic patients and those with severe periodontal disease) · 1 month Flossing for the management of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2011) · Cochrane | SMD -0.36 [-0.66, -0.05] | 7 studies · 489 participants | Very low |
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) vs No fluoride supplement (placebo or no treatment) Caries increment on permanent tooth surfaces (DMFS) · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at baseline) · 55 months Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) for preventing dental caries in children (2011) · Cochrane | PF 0.25 [0.12, 0.38] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) spray vs Salinum linseed oil spray Xerostomia (oral dryness) · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's… Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane | Andersson 1995 (crossover, n=20): more participants experienced a reduction in oral dryness with linseed (Salinum) spray than with CMC spray; crossover data not accounted for, no usable estimate. | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Chewing gum vs No chewing gum Oral mucositis (severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane | RR 1.16 [0.82, 1.64] | 1 study · 140 participants | Ungraded |
Povidone vs Water Oral mucositis (any severity) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Passive maxillary/obturating plate (worn until surgical closure of soft palate) vs No plate Head circumference (cm) · Infants up to 6 months (from term) born with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and palate (Pierre Robin sequence or… · 12 months Feeding interventions for growth and development in infants with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and… (2011) · Cochrane | MD 0.25 [-1.03, 1.53] | 1 study · 32 participants | Ungraded |
Multiple-surface ART restoration using high-viscosity glass ionomer vs None (single-arm survival proportion; no comparator) Restoration survival · Permanent posterior teeth with multiple-surface cavities · 5 years, multiple-surface permanent posterior teeth, 5 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.77 [0.56, 0.92] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Traditional iliac bone graft plus fibrin glue vs Traditional iliac bone graft alone Radiographic assessment: coronal bone volume (cm3) · Patients aged 7 to 16 years with unilateral or bilateral cleft lip and palate (alveolar cleft) · At least 3 months Secondary bone grafting for alveolar cleft in children with cleft lip or cleft lip and palate (2011) · Cochrane | MD 42.62 [20.99, 64.25] | 1 study · 27 participants | Ungraded |
Zinc sulphate vs Placebo Oral mucositis (any severity) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane | RR 0.88 [0.69, 1.11] | 1 study · 27 participants | Ungraded |
Dental stent vs No treatment Oral mucositis (severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane | RR 0.7 [0.28, 1.75] | 1 study · 43 participants | Ungraded |
GM-CSF vs Sucralfate Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane | RR 0.96 [0.8, 1.14] | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Amifostine vs Placebo/no treatment Oral mucositis (any severity) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane | RR 0.95 [0.91, 0.99] | 3 studies · 430 participants | Moderate |
Artificial bone graft: InFuse (collagen matrix) impregnated with rhBMP-2 vs Traditional iliac crest cancellous bone graft Postoperative complication: persistent oronasal fistula · Skeletally mature patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate and an alveolar cleft defect (>5 years; mean age 16.1… Secondary bone grafting for alveolar cleft in children with cleft lip or cleft lip and palate (2011) · Cochrane | RR 0.19 [0.01, 3.23] | 1 study · 21 participants | Ungraded |
Flossing plus toothbrushing (self-performed; manual or automated floss) vs Toothbrushing alone (with or without a negative-control/placebo rinse) Interproximal caries · Dentate adults aged 16 years or older (excluding orthodontic patients and those with severe periodontal disease) Flossing for the management of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2011) · Cochrane | Not estimable (0 studies). See comment: No included study assessed caries as an outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Flossing plus toothbrushing (self-performed; manual or automated floss) vs Toothbrushing alone (with or without a negative-control/placebo rinse) Plaque (0-5 scale; SMD) · Dentate adults aged 16 years or older (excluding orthodontic patients and those with severe periodontal disease) · 6 months Flossing for the management of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2011) · Cochrane | SMD -0.06 [-0.23, 0.12] | 3 studies · 487 participants | Ungraded |
Various saliva stimulants (chewable tablet, lozenges, chewing gum, CMC mouthrinse/sprays; 8-arm) vs Saliva substitutes / other products Xerostomia (dry mouth relief) · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's… Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane | Bjornstrom 1990 (8-arm crossover, high risk of bias, 106 enrolled, 55 used all 8 products): all products relieved dry mouth and difficulty talking/swallowing 'to some extent'; V6 chewing gum and Salivin lozenge ranked… | 1 study · 106 participants | Ungraded |
Benzydamine vs Placebo Oral mucositis (any severity) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane | RR 0.67 [0.47, 0.97] | 1 study · 36 participants | Ungraded |
Traditional iliac bone graft plus fibrin glue vs Traditional iliac bone graft alone Postoperative complication: wound infection · Patients aged 7 to 16 years with unilateral or bilateral cleft lip and palate (alveolar cleft) · At least 3 months Secondary bone grafting for alveolar cleft in children with cleft lip or cleft lip and palate (2011) · Cochrane | RR 3.23 [0.14, 100] | 1 study · 27 participants | Ungraded |
Laser (low level) vs Placebo/sham/no treatment Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane | RR 0.64 [0.38, 1.08] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Flossing plus toothbrushing (self-performed; manual or automated floss) vs Toothbrushing alone (with or without a negative-control/placebo rinse) Clinical attachment loss · Dentate adults aged 16 years or older (excluding orthodontic patients and those with severe periodontal disease) Flossing for the management of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2011) · Cochrane | Not estimable (0 studies). SoF comment reads (verbatim) 'No included study assessed calculus as an outcome' (apparent copy-paste typo in the clinical attachment loss row; no study assessed clinical attachment loss). | 0 studies | No studies |
Single-surface ART restoration using high-viscosity glass ionomer vs None (single-arm survival proportion; no comparator) Restoration survival · Permanent posterior teeth with single-surface cavities · 1 year, single-surface permanent posterior teeth, 1 year Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.96 [0.94, 0.97] | 15 studies | Ungraded |
Oxygenated glycerol triester (OGT) spray vs Saliveeze (aqueous electrolyte) spray Xerostomia (mouth dryness scale) · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's… Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane | SMD 0.77 [0.38, 1.15] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Traumeel vs Placebo Oral mucositis (any severity) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane | RR 0.71 [0.49, 1.05] | 1 study · 30 participants | Ungraded |
Prednisone vs Placebo Oral mucositis (any severity) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane | RR 1.03 [0.85, 1.24] | 1 study · 66 participants | Ungraded |
Mucin spray (Saliva Orthana) vs Placebo spray (base without mucin) Patient satisfaction / desire to continue treatment · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's… Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane | Sweeney 1997: majority in both groups wished to continue the allocated spray, no significant difference (Analysis 1.3). Duxbury 1989: 14/30 (46.6%) and 15/30 (50%) wished to continue Saliva Orthana and the spray base… | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Single-surface ART restoration using high-viscosity glass ionomer vs None (single-arm survival proportion; no comparator) Restoration survival · Permanent posterior teeth with single-surface cavities · 5 years, single-surface permanent posterior teeth, 5 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Proportion 0.80 [0.76, 0.83] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
CMC spray / HCC spray / HCC gel vs Liquid margarine (and between each other) Xerostomia (median oral dryness) · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's… Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane | Furumoto 1998 (crossover, n=28, medians/IQR): median day-10 oral dryness (lower = less dry): CMC spray 28.00 (3.06), HCC spray 28.75 (2.23), HCC gel 27.75 (3.62), margarine 29.25 (5.06). Only HCC gel showed a… | 1 study · 28 participants | Ungraded |
Cryotherapy (ice chips) 30 minutes vs Cryotherapy (ice chips) 60 minutes Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane | RR 0.68 [0.36, 1.3] | 1 study · 178 participants | Ungraded |
High-viscosity glass-ionomer ART restorations vs No comparator Restoration survival · Permanent posterior teeth with multiple-surface cavities · 5 years, multiple-surface permanent posterior teeth, 5 years Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011) | Survival percentage 77 [56, 92] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Squeezable (modified) feeding bottle vs Rigid feeding bottle Length (cm) · Infants up to 6 months (from term) born with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and palate (Pierre Robin sequence or… · >6 months Feeding interventions for growth and development in infants with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and… (2011) · Cochrane | MD 0.21 [-0.72, 1.14] | 2 studies · 130 participants | Ungraded |
Intestinal trefoil factor vs Placebo Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane | RR 0.22 [0.1, 0.48] | 1 study · 99 participants | Ungraded |
Aloe vera vs Placebo Oral mucositis (severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane | RR 0.13 [0.02, 0.97] | 1 study · 61 participants | Ungraded |
Pilocarpine vs Placebo Oral mucositis (severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane | RR 0.89 [0.58, 1.37] | 1 study · 34 participants | Ungraded |