Findings

What do systematic reviews say?

66 questions · 92 findings · 13 reviews · Oral Health

No studies found 1 · 1.1%GRADE not reported 74 · 80.4%Very low 6 · 6.5%Low 3 · 3.3%Moderate 6 · 6.5%High 2 · 2.2%

Adverse effects · Children (permanent teeth; baseline 8 to 10 years)

1 finding from 1 review

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

Adverse effects (loose stools, diarrhoea) · Infants (primary teeth; baseline about 9 to 15 months)

1 finding from 1 review

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

Adverse effects · Children (mixed dentition; baseline about 8 years)

1 finding from 1 review

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

Fluorosis (adverse effect; % of children with fluorotic teeth) · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or less

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

1 finding from 1 review

Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) for preventing dental caries in children 2011 · Cochrane All outcomes
Summary of findings 2 lists fluorosis (% of children with fluorotic teeth) as 'See comment / Not estimable / Not estimated'; no included study reported fluorosis for the fluoride supplements versus topical fluoride…
Studies not reported
No studies found

Plaque and gingivitis scores · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or less

1 finding from 1 review

Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) for preventing dental caries in children 2011 · Cochrane All outcomes
24 months
One study (Holm 1975): no difference between groups (fluoride supplements versus fluoride rinses) for mean plaque and gingivitis scores after 2 years. No summary estimate reported.
1 study
GRADE not reported

Fluorosis (adverse effect; % of children with fluorotic teeth, questionable to severe) · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or less

1 finding from 1 review

Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) for preventing dental caries in children 2011 · Cochrane All outcomes
55 months
% of children with fluorotic teeth (questionable to severe), follow-up 55 months. Assumed risk 32/212 = 15%; corresponding risk 40/202 = 20% (APF once a day) and 43/197 = 22% (APF twice a day). Relative effect: Not…
1 study · 611 participants
Very low