Findings

What do systematic reviews say?

1,338 questions · 2,104 findings · 136 reviews · Dental caries

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No studies found 159 · 7.6%GRADE not reported 1,657 · 78.8%Very low 138 · 6.6%Low 111 · 5.3%Moderate 36 · 1.7%High 3 · 0.1%

2400 to 2800 ppm F toothpaste vs 1700 to 2200 ppm F toothpaste

Caries increment, surface index D(M)FS · Children and adolescents with immature permanent dentition (aged 5 to 16 years at study start)

2400 to 2800 ppm F toothpaste showed no clear difference in caries increment, surface index D(M)FS compared with 1700 to 2200 ppm F toothpaste (low certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries 2019 · Cochrane All outcomes
Closest to 36 months
SMD -0.09 [-0.2, 0.02]
1 study
Low

1700 to 2200 ppm F toothpaste vs 1450 to 1500 ppm F toothpaste

Caries increment, surface index D(M)FS · Children and adolescents with immature permanent dentition (aged 5 to 16 years at study start)

1700 to 2200 ppm F toothpaste showed no clear difference in caries increment, surface index D(M)FS compared with 1450 to 1500 ppm F toothpaste (moderate certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries 2019 · Cochrane All outcomes
Closest to 36 months
SMD 0.04 [-0.07, 0.15]
Studies not reported
Moderate

2400 to 2800 ppm F toothpaste vs 1450 to 1500 ppm F toothpaste

Caries increment, tooth index D(M)FT · Children and adolescents with immature permanent dentition (aged 5 to 16 years at study start)

2400 to 2800 ppm F toothpaste showed no clear difference in caries increment, tooth index D(M)FT compared with 1450 to 1500 ppm F toothpaste (low certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries 2019 · Cochrane All outcomes
Closest to 36 months
SMD 0.0 [-0.16, 0.17]
Studies not reported
Low

2400 to 2800 ppm F toothpaste vs 250 ppm F toothpaste

Caries increment, tooth index D(M)FT · Children and adolescents with immature permanent dentition (aged 5 to 16 years at study start)

2400 to 2800 ppm F toothpaste may leads to lower caries increment, tooth index D(M)FT compared with 250 ppm F toothpaste (low certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries 2019 · Cochrane All outcomes
Closest to 36 months
SMD -0.28 [-0.48, -0.08]
Studies not reported
Low

1055 to 1100 ppm F toothpaste vs 500 to 550 ppm F toothpaste

Caries increment, tooth index D(M)FT · Young children with primary (deciduous) dentition (aged 1 to 6 years at study start)

1055 to 1100 ppm F toothpaste showed no clear difference in caries increment, tooth index d(m)ft compared with 500 to 550 ppm F toothpaste (low certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries 2019 · Cochrane All outcomes
Follow-up: 36 months
MD -0.27 [-0.6, 0.06]
1 study · 905 participants
Low

1000 to 1250 ppm F toothpaste vs 250 ppm F toothpaste

Caries increment, tooth index D(M)FT · Children and adolescents with immature permanent dentition (aged 5 to 16 years at study start)

1000 to 1250 ppm F toothpaste showed no clear difference in caries increment, tooth index D(M)FT compared with 250 ppm F toothpaste (low certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries 2019 · Cochrane All outcomes
Closest to 36 months
SMD -0.15 [-0.31, 0.0]
3 studies
Low

1055 to 1100 ppm F toothpaste vs 500 to 550 ppm F toothpaste

Caries increment, surface index D(M)FS · Young children with primary (deciduous) dentition (aged 1 to 6 years at study start)

1055 to 1100 ppm F toothpaste showed no clear difference in caries increment, surface index d(m)fs compared with 500 to 550 ppm F toothpaste (moderate certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries 2019 · Cochrane All outcomes
Follow-up: 20 to 36 months
MD -0.05 [-0.38, 0.28]
2 studies · 1958 participants
Moderate

1700 to 2200 ppm F toothpaste vs Non-fluoride (0 ppm F) placebo toothpaste

Caries increment, surface index D(M)FS · Children and adolescents with immature permanent dentition (aged 5 to 16 years at study start)

1700 to 2200 ppm F toothpaste may leads to lower caries increment, surface index D(M)FS compared with non-fluoride (0 ppm F) placebo toothpaste (low certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries 2019 · Cochrane All outcomes
Closest to 36 months
SMD -0.32 [-0.41, -0.22]
Studies not reported
Low

1450 ppm F toothpaste vs 440 ppm F toothpaste

Proportion developing new caries · Young children with primary (deciduous) dentition (aged 1 to 6 years at study start)

1450 ppm F toothpaste probably leads to lower proportion developing new caries compared with 440 ppm F toothpaste (moderate certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries 2019 · Cochrane All outcomes
60 months
RR 0.87 [0.81, 0.94]
1 study · 2362 participants
Moderate

Rubber/elastomeric cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing

Interproximal caries · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate)

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

1 finding from 1 review

Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling periodontal… 2019 · Cochrane All outcomes
No included study assessed caries as an outcome.
0 studies
No studies found

Learning disability (CLD) vs No learning disability (CNLD)

Early childhood caries experience (mean dmft) · Children aged 1-18 years

In primary teeth, meta-analysis found no evidence of a difference in caries experience (dmft/deft) between children with and without learning disabilities (SMD 0.41, 95% CI -0.14 to 0.96; 8 studies; certainty not graded).

4 findings from 1 review

Dental caries experience, care index and restorative index in children with learning disabilities and children without… 2019 All outcomes
Community and clinical settings (specialist paediatric dental clinics to school classrooms); 25 studies across 18 countries
SMD 0.41 [-0.14, 0.96]
8 studies
GRADE not reported
Dental caries experience, care index and restorative index in children with learning disabilities and children without… 2019 All outcomes
Community and clinical settings (specialist paediatric dental clinics to school classrooms); 25 studies across 18 countries · Disability: autism
SMD 0.43 [-0.53, 1.39]
4 studies
GRADE not reported
Dental caries experience, care index and restorative index in children with learning disabilities and children without… 2019 All outcomes
Community and clinical settings (specialist paediatric dental clinics to school classrooms); 25 studies across 18 countries · Disability: Down syndrome
SMD 0.55 [-0.40, 1.52]
3 studies
GRADE not reported

Show 1 more finding

Dental caries experience, care index and restorative index in children with learning disabilities and children without… 2019 All outcomes
Community and clinical settings (specialist paediatric dental clinics to school classrooms); 25 studies across 18 countries · Disability: mixed learning disabilities
SMD -0.10 [-0.34, 0.14]
1 study
GRADE not reported

1500 ppm F toothpaste vs Non-fluoride (0 ppm F) placebo toothpaste

Caries increment, surface index D(M)FS · Young children with primary (deciduous) dentition (aged 1 to 6 years at study start)

1500 ppm F toothpaste probably leads to lower caries increment, surface index d(m)fs compared with non-fluoride (0 ppm F) placebo toothpaste (moderate certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries 2019 · Cochrane All outcomes
Follow-up: 24 months
MD -1.86 [-2.51, -1.21]
1 study · 998 participants
Moderate

2400 to 2800 ppm F toothpaste vs 250 ppm F toothpaste

Caries increment, surface index D(M)FS · Children and adolescents with immature permanent dentition (aged 5 to 16 years at study start)

2400 to 2800 ppm F toothpaste may leads to lower caries increment, surface index D(M)FS compared with 250 ppm F toothpaste (low certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries 2019 · Cochrane All outcomes
Closest to 36 months
SMD -0.26 [-0.38, -0.14]
Studies not reported
Low

Learning disability (CLD) vs No learning disability (CNLD)

Dental caries in permanent teeth · Children aged 1-18 years

Across all learning disabilities, meta-analysis found no evidence of a difference in permanent-tooth caries experience (DMFT) between children with and without learning disabilities (SMD -0.43, 95% CI -0.91 to 0.05; 16 studies; certainty not graded).

4 findings from 1 review

Dental caries experience, care index and restorative index in children with learning disabilities and children without… 2019 All outcomes
Community and clinical settings (specialist paediatric dental clinics to school classrooms); 25 studies across 18 countries
SMD -0.43 [-0.91, 0.05]
16 studies
GRADE not reported
Dental caries experience, care index and restorative index in children with learning disabilities and children without… 2019 All outcomes
Community and clinical settings (specialist paediatric dental clinics to school classrooms); 25 studies across 18 countries · Disability: mixed learning disabilities
SMD 0.26 [-0.94, 1.47]
2 studies
GRADE not reported
Dental caries experience, care index and restorative index in children with learning disabilities and children without… 2019 All outcomes
Community and clinical settings (specialist paediatric dental clinics to school classrooms); 25 studies across 18 countries · Disability: autism
SMD -0.28 [-1.31, 0.75]
6 studies
GRADE not reported

Show 1 more finding

Dental caries experience, care index and restorative index in children with learning disabilities and children without… 2019 All outcomes
Community and clinical settings (specialist paediatric dental clinics to school classrooms); 25 studies across 18 countries · Disability: Down syndrome
SMD -0.73 [-1.28, -0.18]
8 studies
GRADE not reported

440 to 550 ppm F toothpaste vs 250 ppm F toothpaste

Caries increment, tooth index D(M)FT · Children and adolescents with immature permanent dentition (aged 5 to 16 years at study start)

440 to 550 ppm F toothpaste showed no clear difference in caries increment, tooth index D(M)FT compared with 250 ppm F toothpaste (low certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries 2019 · Cochrane All outcomes
Closest to 36 months
SMD -0.08 [-0.32, 0.17]
1 study
Low

1700 to 2200 ppm F toothpaste vs 250 ppm F toothpaste

Caries increment, surface index D(M)FS · Children and adolescents with immature permanent dentition (aged 5 to 16 years at study start)

1700 to 2200 ppm F toothpaste may leads to lower caries increment, surface index D(M)FS compared with 250 ppm F toothpaste (low certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries 2019 · Cochrane All outcomes
Closest to 36 months
SMD -0.17 [-0.3, -0.04]
Studies not reported
Low

1000 to 1250 ppm F toothpaste vs Non-fluoride (0 ppm F) placebo toothpaste

Caries increment, tooth index D(M)FT · Children and adolescents with immature permanent dentition (aged 5 to 16 years at study start)

1000 to 1250 ppm F toothpaste leads to lower caries increment, tooth index D(M)FT compared with non-fluoride (0 ppm F) placebo toothpaste (high certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries 2019 · Cochrane All outcomes
Closest to 36 months
SMD -0.26 [-0.31, -0.21]
41 studies
High

2400 to 2800 ppm F toothpaste vs 1000 to 1250 ppm F toothpaste

Caries increment, tooth index D(M)FT · Children and adolescents with immature permanent dentition (aged 5 to 16 years at study start)

It is very uncertain whether 2400 to 2800 ppm F toothpaste changes caries increment, tooth index D(M)FT compared with 1000 to 1250 ppm F toothpaste (very low certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries 2019 · Cochrane All outcomes
Closest to 36 months
SMD -0.12 [-0.25, 0.01]
3 studies
Very low

1000 or 1100 ppm F toothpaste vs Non-fluoride (0 ppm F) placebo toothpaste

Proportion developing new caries · Adults with mature permanent dentition (aged 18 to 93 years at study start)

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

1 finding from 1 review

Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries 2019 · Cochrane All outcomes
Proportion of adults developing new caries: no studies reported this outcome.
0 studies
No studies found

2400 to 2800 ppm F toothpaste vs 440 to 550 ppm F toothpaste

Caries increment, surface index D(M)FS · Children and adolescents with immature permanent dentition (aged 5 to 16 years at study start)

2400 to 2800 ppm F toothpaste may leads to lower caries increment, surface index D(M)FS compared with 440 to 550 ppm F toothpaste (low certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries 2019 · Cochrane All outcomes
Closest to 36 months
SMD -0.29 [-0.49, -0.08]
Studies not reported
Low