Findings

What do systematic reviews say?

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Evidence found and GRADE certainty

288 questions · 349 findings · 41 reviews · Dental caries

No studies found 43 · 12.3%GRADE not reported 207 · 59.3%Very low 42 · 12%Low 32 · 9.2%Moderate 22 · 6.3%High 3 · 0.9%

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

Decayed or filled primary tooth surfaces at 5 years · Pregnant women (for preventing dental caries in the primary teeth of their children)

It is very uncertain whether fluoride supplementation (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gum) changes decayed or filled primary tooth surfaces at 5 years compared with placebo or no treatment (very low certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

Fluoride mouthrinse (any fluoride agent, concentration, volume, frequency or technique; swished and expectorated, not swallowed) vs placebo or no treatment

Dental caries: dmfs increment (primary teeth) · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or less

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

1 finding from 1 review

Fluoride mouthrinse (any fluoride agent, concentration, volume, frequency or technique; swished and expectorated, not swallowed) vs placebo or no treatment

Proportion developing new caries · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or less

Fluoride mouthrinse (any fluoride agent, concentration, volume,… showed no clear difference in proportion of children developing one or more new caries compared with placebo or no treatment; GRADE not reported.

1 finding from 1 review

Fluoride mouthrinse (any fluoride agent, concentration, volume, frequency or technique; swished and expectorated, not swallowed) vs placebo or no treatment

Mucosal irritation / oral soft tissue allergic reaction (signs of sensitivity) · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or less
1 finding from 1 review

Fluoride mouthrinse (any fluoride agent, concentration, volume, frequency or technique; swished and expectorated, not swallowed) vs placebo or no treatment

Signs of acute toxicity during gel application (nausea, gagging, vomiting) · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or less

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

1 finding from 1 review

Fluoride mouthrinse (any fluoride agent, concentration, volume, frequency or technique; swished and expectorated, not swallowed) vs placebo or no treatment

Unacceptability of treatment (drop-outs / leaving study early) · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or less

It is very uncertain whether fluoride mouthrinse (any fluoride agent, concentration, volume,… changes unacceptability of treatment as measured by leaving study early… compared with placebo or no treatment (very low certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

Fluoride mouthrinse (any fluoride agent, concentration, volume, frequency or technique; swished and expectorated, not swallowed) vs placebo or no treatment

Proportion of children not remaining caries-free · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or less

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

1 finding from 1 review

Fluoride mouthrinse (any fluoride agent, concentration, volume, frequency or technique; swished and expectorated, not swallowed) vs placebo or no treatment

Tooth staining/discolouration (adverse effect) · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or less
1 finding from 1 review

Fluoride gel (topically applied; operator- or self-applied; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs placebo or no treatment

Caries increment on permanent whole teeth (D(M)FT), prevented fraction · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or younger (permanent dentition)
3 findings from 1 review

Fluoride gel (topically applied; operator- or self-applied; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs placebo or no treatment

Caries increment on permanent tooth surfaces (D(M)FS), prevented fraction · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or younger (permanent dentition)
3 findings from 1 review

Fluoride gel (topically applied; operator- or self-applied; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs placebo or no treatment

Unacceptability of treatment (dropouts/exclusions during the trial) · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or less

Fluoride gel (topically applied; operator- or self-applied; any… showed no clear difference in unacceptability of treatment (dropouts/exclusions during the trial) compared with placebo or no treatment; GRADE not reported.

3 findings from 1 review

Chlorhexidine varnish vs placebo or no treatment

Adverse events (e.g. ulcers, tooth staining) · 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

Fluoride gel (topically applied; operator- or self-applied; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs placebo or no treatment

Mucosal irritation / oral soft tissue allergic reaction (signs of sensitivity) · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or less

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

1 finding from 1 review

Fluoride gel (topically applied; operator- or self-applied; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs placebo or no treatment

Proportion of children not remaining caries-free · Children with primary (deciduous) teeth (younger children)

Fluoride gel (topically applied; operator- or self-applied; any… showed no clear difference in proportion of children not remaining caries-free compared with placebo or no treatment; GRADE not reported.

1 finding from 1 review

Micro-invasive treatment (proximal sealing or resin infiltration): resin sealant, glass ionomer sealant, polyurethane/adhesive patch, or resin infiltration vs Non-invasive / control treatment

Participant and operator perception · Dentate children and adults with non-cavitated proximal caries lesions extending into enamel or dentine (not pulp) in primary or permanent…

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

1 finding from 1 review

Micro-invasive treatment (proximal sealing or resin infiltration): resin sealant, glass ionomer sealant, polyurethane/adhesive patch, or resin infiltration vs Non-invasive / control treatment

Costs (direct and indirect) · Dentate children and adults with non-cavitated proximal caries lesions extending into enamel or dentine (not pulp) in primary or permanent…

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

1 finding from 1 review