Disparities in caries across socioeconomic status (SES) · People of all ages in a community setting; the included caries studies were all in children aged 3 to 16 years
1 finding from 1 review
There is insufficient information to determine whether initiation of a water fluoridation programme results in a change in disparities in caries levels across SES. Data from 3 observational studies (participants not…
3 studies · 35399 participants
Low
Change in proportion of caries-free children (permanent teeth) · People of all ages in a community setting; the included caries studies were all in children aged 3 to 16 years
Initiation of water fluoridation (artificial or natural) may leads to higher change in proportion of caries-free children (permanent teeth) compared with low/non-fluoridated water (0.4 ppm fluoride or less) (low certainty).
1 finding from 1 review
Caries increment in permanent teeth · Children and adolescents below 18 years at study start (included studies: children from birth to 15 years), with mixed, permanent or…
It is very uncertain whether chlorhexidine varnish (10% and 40%) changes caries increment in permanent dentition (DMFS; higher values… compared with placebo or no treatment (very low certainty).
1 finding from 1 review
Early childhood caries experience (mean dmft) · People of all ages in a previously fluoridated community (Maupome 2001: children with generally low caries experience)
The review found no eligible studies for this question.
1 finding from 1 review
Dental caries in permanent teeth · People of all ages in a previously fluoridated community (Maupome 2001: children with generally low caries experience)
1 finding from 1 review
Insufficient evidence to determine the effect of the cessation of water fluoridation on caries. One study (Maupome 2001), at high risk of bias, over 3 years found no increase in caries in the fluoride-ended group…
1 study · 9249 participants
Very low
Presence of new caries in the primary teeth · Children and adolescents below 18 years at study start (included studies: children from birth to 15 years), with mixed, permanent or…
It is very uncertain whether chlorhexidine gel (0.12%) changes presence of new caries in the primary teeth compared with no treatment (very low certainty).
1 finding from 1 review
Disparities in caries across socioeconomic status (SES) · People of all ages in a previously fluoridated community (Maupome 2001: children with generally low caries experience)
The review found no eligible studies for this question.
1 finding from 1 review
Caries in deciduous teeth (change in dmft) · People of all ages in a community setting; the included caries studies were all in children aged 3 to 16 years
Initiation of water fluoridation (artificial or natural) may leads to lower caries in deciduous teeth (change in dmft) compared with low/non-fluoridated water (0.4 ppm fluoride or less) (low certainty).
1 finding from 1 review
Elevated mutans streptococci levels (>=4 with caries screen; high vs low) · Children and adolescents below 18 years at study start (included studies: children from birth to 15 years), with mixed, permanent or…
It is very uncertain whether chlorhexidine varnish (10%) changes elevated mutans streptococci levels (>=4 with caries screen; high vs… compared with placebo or no treatment (very low certainty).
1 finding from 1 review
Dental caries: dmfs increment (primary teeth) · Children and adolescents below 18 years at study start (included studies: children from birth to 15 years), with mixed, permanent or…
1 finding from 1 review
Change in proportion of caries-free children (deciduous teeth) · People of all ages in a community setting; the included caries studies were all in children aged 3 to 16 years
Initiation of water fluoridation (artificial or natural) may leads to higher change in proportion of caries-free children (deciduous teeth) compared with low/non-fluoridated water (0.4 ppm fluoride or less) (low certainty).
1 finding from 1 review
Further conventional dental treatment (filling and drilling) (binary yes/no) · People of any age with caries (including demineralisation in non-cavitated carious lesions); the caries may affect any single tooth…
The review found no eligible studies for this question.
1 finding from 1 review
Caries progression/regression (clinical severity index, log(e) ECM and log(e) DIAGNOdent scores) · People of any age with caries (including demineralisation in non-cavitated carious lesions); the caries may affect any single tooth…
1 finding from 1 review
No consistent trend of benefit or harm following ozone was seen across the outcome measures in any of the three studies; analyses were conducted at the lesion level (not independent of the person), so data were not…
3 studies · 137 participants
GRADE not reported
Dental fillings (restorations) vs No treatment
Outcome not reported · Children aged 12 years or younger with tooth decay involving at least one tooth in the primary dentition, symptomatic or symptom free
The review found no eligible studies for this question.
1 finding from 1 review
Gingivitis · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate)
It is very uncertain whether interdental brushing plus toothbrushing changes gingivitis (gingival index) compared with toothbrushing alone (very low certainty).
MD -0.53 [-0.83, -0.23]
1 study · 62 participants
Very low
MD -0.05 [-0.13, 0.03]
1 study · 31 participants
Very low
MD -0.53 [-0.83, -0.23]
1 study · 62 participants
Very low
Plaque · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate)
Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing may leads to lower plaque compared with toothbrushing alone (low certainty).
Gingivitis · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate)
Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing may leads to lower gingivitis (proportion of bleeding sites) compared with flossing plus toothbrushing (low certainty).
MD -0.06 [-0.08, -0.03]
6 studies · 234 participants
Low
SMD -0.40 [-0.70, -0.11]
3 studies · 183 participants
Low
SMD -0.53 [-0.81, -0.24]
7 studies · 326 participants
Low
Show 1 more finding
Plaque · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate)
It is very uncertain whether interdental brushing plus toothbrushing changes plaque compared with flossing plus toothbrushing (very low certainty).
SMD -0.47 [-0.84, -0.11]
5 studies · 290 participants
Very low
SMD 0.10 [-0.13, 0.33]
7 studies · 326 participants
Low
SMD -2.14 [-5.25, 0.97]
2 studies · 107 participants
Very low
Side effects · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate)
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
GRADE not reported
Not estimable. Only 1 study reported adverse outcomes in terms of problems with the use of the assigned interdental cleaning aids. (See comment) In this comparison the single study (Jared 2005) asked participants to…
1 study
GRADE not reported
Side effects · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate)
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
GRADE not reported
Not estimable. 2 studies reported adverse outcomes in terms of problems with the use of the assigned interdental cleaning aids. We were unable to pool data. (See comment) Three further studies reported that no adverse…
5 studies
GRADE not reported