What do systematic reviews say?

Zinc sulphate vs placebo

Zinc sulphate led to lower oral mucositis (severe) compared with placebo; GRADE not reported.

• Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment 2011 · Cochrane All outcomes

  Median 28 days
  RR 0.05 [0, 0.75]
  1 study · 27 participants
  GRADE not reported

Maternal advice and support (feeding techniques/breastfeeding positions) vs Usual care (no additional advice/support)

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Feeding interventions for growth and development in infants with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and palate 2011 · Cochrane All outcomes
  No trials were identified that examined the effect of additional maternal support or advice during breastfeeding (or bottle-feeding); no studies evaluated the effectiveness of this intervention (plain-language summary…
  0 studies
  No studies found

Saliva stimulant lozenge (sorbitol, Sorbee) vs Saliva substitute spray

Saliva stimulant lozenge (sorbitol, Sorbee) led to lower patient preference compared with saliva substitute spray (MouthKote); GRADE not reported.

• Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies 2011 · Cochrane All outcomes
  Stewart 1998: no statistically significant difference in patient preference between lozenge and spray (Analysis 2.3).
  1 study · 80 participants
  GRADE not reported

Consumption of xylitol chewing gum by women (mothers) vs Profylin lozenge (xylitol/sorbitol + CMC)

• Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies 2011 · Cochrane All outcomes
  Patients ranked gum and lozenge equal for preference.
  1 study · 18 participants
  GRADE not reported

Glutamine vs placebo or usual care

Glutamine showed no clear difference in oral mucositis (any severity) compared with placebo/usual care; GRADE not reported.

• Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment 2011 · Cochrane All outcomes

  Median 28 days
  RR 0.78 [0.57, 1.08]
  5 studies
  GRADE not reported

Artificial bone graft: InFuse (collagen matrix) impregnated with rhBMP-2 vs Traditional iliac crest cancellous bone graft

Artificial bone graft: InFuse (collagen matrix) impregnated with… led to higher radiographic assessment: periapical film (0 to 3 grading scale) compared with traditional iliac crest cancellous bone graft; GRADE not reported.

• Secondary bone grafting for alveolar cleft in children with cleft lip or cleft lip and palate 2011 · Cochrane All outcomes

  1 year
  MD 0.60 [0.30, 0.90]
  1 study · 21 participants
  GRADE not reported

Polaprezinc vs Azulene

Polaprezinc led to lower oral mucositis (moderate to severe) compared with azulene; GRADE not reported.

• Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment 2011 · Cochrane All outcomes

  Median 28 days
  RR 0.43 [0.22, 0.84]
  1 study · 31 participants
  GRADE not reported

Consumption of xylitol chewing gum by women (mothers) vs Profylin lozenge (xylitol/sorbitol + CMC)

• Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies 2011 · Cochrane All outcomes
  No change in stimulated whole saliva.
  1 study · 18 participants
  GRADE not reported

Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) spray vs Salinum linseed oil spray

• Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies 2011 · Cochrane All outcomes
  Mean plaque and gingival indices were reduced during the Salinum (linseed) period; incomplete comparative data.
  1 study · 20 participants
  GRADE not reported

Fluoride supplementation (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gum) vs No fluoride supplement (placebo or no treatment)

• Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) for preventing dental caries in children 2011 · Cochrane All outcomes

  24-36 months
  PF 0.24 [0.16, 0.33]
  3 studies · 1240 participants
  Moderate

Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) mouthwash vs Glycerin mouthwash

Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) mouthwash led to higher improvement in dry mouth ('excellent benefit', dichotomous) compared with glycerin mouthwash; GRADE not reported.

• Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies 2011 · Cochrane All outcomes
  RR 3.95 [1.17, 13.36]
  1 study · 148 participants
  GRADE not reported