What do systematic reviews say?

Antibiotic pastille or paste (PTA) vs placebo

Antibiotic pastille or paste (PTA) led to lower oral mucositis (any severity) compared with placebo; GRADE not reported.

• Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment 2011 · Cochrane All outcomes

  Median 28 days
  RR 0.87 [0.78, 0.96]
  2 studies · 356 participants
  GRADE not reported

Hinokitiol gel vs Placebo gel

Hinokitiol gel showed no clear difference in VSC: methyl mercaptan compared with placebo gel; GRADE not reported.

• Interventions for managing halitosis 2019 · Cochrane All outcomes

  28 days
  MD -1.64 [-5.77, 2.49]
  1 study · 18 participants
  GRADE not reported

Chlorine dioxide mouthrinse (with tongue scraping) vs Chlorhexidine mouthwash (with tongue scraping)

Chlorine dioxide mouthrinse (with tongue scraping) showed no clear difference in VSC: methyl mercaptan compared with chlorhexidine mouthwash (with tongue scraping); GRADE not reported.

• Interventions for managing halitosis 2019 · Cochrane All outcomes

  1 week
  MD 7.63 [-1.7, 16.96]
  1 study · 22 participants
  GRADE not reported

Benzethonium chloride mouthwash vs Placebo mouthwash

Benzethonium chloride mouthwash showed no clear difference in VSC: methyl mercaptan compared with placebo mouthwash; GRADE not reported.

• Interventions for managing halitosis 2019 · Cochrane All outcomes

  9 days
  MD 7.2 [-24.92, 39.32]
  1 study · 20 participants
  GRADE not reported

Pycnogenol chewing gum vs Placebo chewing gum

Pycnogenol chewing gum showed no clear difference in VSC: methyl mercaptan compared with placebo chewing gum; GRADE not reported.

• Interventions for managing halitosis 2019 · Cochrane All outcomes

  4 weeks
  MD -8.4 [-24.95, 8.15]
  1 study · 21 participants
  GRADE not reported

Systemic oral acyclovir vs placebo or no treatment

• Acyclovir for treating primary herpetic gingivostomatitis 2008 · Cochrane All outcomes
  Amir 1997b: no data available. Ducoulombier 1988: tolerance and acceptability of the drug was described as satisfactory, but it was unclear how this was assessed by the trialists.
  1 study
  GRADE not reported

Minimal incision palatopharyngoplasty (MIPP) vs MIPP with additional individualised velopharyngeal surgery (pharyngeal flap or sphincter pharyngoplasty)

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Interventions for the management of submucous cleft palate 2008 · Cochrane All outcomes
  The trial report provided no information on this adverse event; no information on adverse events or serious complications was reported.
  0 studies
  No studies found

Tongue scraper or tongue cleaner (One Drop Only tongue cleaner; Tongue-Putzer scraper; polystyrene scraper) vs Toothbrush (used to clean the tongue)

• Tongue scraping for treating halitosis 2006 · Cochrane All outcomes

  1 week (Pedrazzi 2004)
  Pedrazzi 2004: six of ten (60%) participants complained of nausea and one participant of tongue trauma, only with the toothbrush; all participants were receptive to the tongue scraper. Seemann 2001: no adverse effects…
  2 studies
  GRADE not reported