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
Incidence of initial caries around brackets, aesthetic-zone teeth only · Orthodontic patients (any age) undergoing orthodontic treatment (mostly fixed appliances)
When only aesthetic-zone teeth (incisors and canines) were considered, two studies reported a significant reduction in initial caries incidence favoring fluoride mouthrinse (ungraded, narrative; no pooled estimate).
1 finding from 1 review
Early childhood caries (ECC) · Children aged 0-5 years in North Africa
Paternal tertiary education was associated with lower odds of ECC (OR 0.381).
3 findings from 1 review
OR 0.381 [0.16, 0.91]
1 study
GRADE not reported
OR 0.083 [0.03, 0.21]
1 study
GRADE not reported
OR 0.797 [0.171, 0.650]
1 study
GRADE not reported
Early childhood caries (ECC) · Children aged 0-5 years in North Africa
Brushing twice daily was associated with lower odds of ECC (OR 0.033).
2 findings from 1 review
OR 0.033 [0.004, 0.276]
1 study
GRADE not reported
OR 0.033 [0.004, 0.263]
1 study
GRADE not reported
Early childhood caries (ECC) · Children aged 0-5 years in North Africa
Brushing at the recommended time was associated with lower odds of ECC (OR 0.028).
1 finding from 1 review
OR 0.028 [0.004, 0.223]
1 study
GRADE not reported
Early childhood caries (ECC) · Children aged 0-5 years in North Africa
Caries in the mother's mouth was associated with markedly higher odds of ECC (OR 20.44).
1 finding from 1 review
OR 20.44 [8.37, 49.92]
1 study
GRADE not reported
Early childhood caries (ECC) · Children aged 0-5 years in North Africa
Spoon sharing with household members was associated with higher odds of ECC (OR 8.79).
1 finding from 1 review
OR 8.79 [2.92, 26.51]
1 study
GRADE not reported
Early childhood caries (ECC) · Children aged 0-5 years in North Africa
Age 48-59 months was associated with higher odds of ECC (OR 2.602).
2 findings from 1 review
OR 2.602 [1.122, 2.302]
1 study
GRADE not reported
OR 2.845 [1.128, 2.072]
1 study
GRADE not reported
Early childhood caries (ECC) · Children aged 0-5 years in North Africa
An early first dental visit was associated with much lower odds of ECC (OR 0.042).
2 findings from 1 review
OR 0.042 [0.013, 0.136]
1 study
GRADE not reported
OR 0.248 [0.072, 0.852]
1 study
GRADE not reported
Early childhood caries (ECC) · Children aged 0-5 years in North Africa
Unsupervised brushing showed a non-significant association with ECC (OR 1.385, p=0.061).
1 finding from 1 review
OR 1.385 [0.809, 1.369]
1 study
GRADE not reported
Early childhood caries (ECC) · Children aged 0-5 years in North Africa
Nocturnal feeding was associated with higher odds of ECC (OR 2.417).
1 finding from 1 review
OR 2.417 [1.340, 4.358]
1 study
GRADE not reported
Caries increment on tooth surfaces (dmfs/DMFS) (prevented fraction) · Children in school or kindergarten settings (aged 3-14 years)
School-based supervised toothbrushing produces a small but statistically significant reduction in tooth-surface caries (DMFS/dmfs SMD -0.22, 95% CI -0.42 to -0.01; ungraded).
1 finding from 1 review
Early childhood caries (ECC) · Children aged 0-5 years in North Africa
Tooth brushing method was associated with higher odds of ECC (OR 1.435).
1 finding from 1 review
OR 1.435 [1.207, 2.915]
1 study
GRADE not reported
Dental caries increment, DMFT/dmft (whole-tooth level) · Children in school or kindergarten settings (aged 3-14 years)
School-based supervised toothbrushing has no statistically significant effect on whole-tooth caries (DMFT/dmft SMD 0.05, 95% CI -0.27 to 0.37; ungraded).
1 finding from 1 review
Early childhood caries (ECC) · Children aged 0-5 years in North Africa
Feeding on demand was associated with markedly higher odds of ECC (OR 9.66).
1 finding from 1 review
OR 9.66 [4.26, 21.93]
1 study
GRADE not reported
Early childhood caries (ECC) · Children aged 0-5 years in North Africa
Male children had higher odds of ECC (OR 2.911).
1 finding from 1 review
OR 2.911 [1.42, 5.99]
1 study
GRADE not reported
Incidence of proximal (interdental) caries lesions from bitewing radiographs · Orthodontic patients (any age) undergoing orthodontic treatment (mostly fixed appliances)
Only one included study assessed proximal caries incidence from bitewing radiographs; it was not included in the meta-analysis and no pooled estimate is available (ungraded).
1 finding from 1 review
Early childhood caries (ECC) · Children aged 0-5 years in North Africa
A history of dental visits was associated with higher odds of ECC (OR 2.444).
1 finding from 1 review
OR 2.444 [1.108, 2.072]
1 study
GRADE not reported
Early childhood caries (ECC) · Children aged 0-5 years in North Africa
Weaning after 18 months was associated with higher odds of ECC (OR 2.417).
1 finding from 1 review
OR 2.417 [1.340, 4.358]
1 study
GRADE not reported
Early childhood caries (ECC) · Children aged 0-5 years in North Africa
Nighttime sugary food intake was associated with higher odds of ECC (OR 1.104; source CI garbled).
1 finding from 1 review
OR 1.104 [1.167, 2.826]
1 study
GRADE not reported