Cochrane

Review question How effective and safe is the use of fluoride mouthrinse for preventing tooth decay (dental caries) in children and adolescents compared with placebo (a mouthrinse without the active ingredient fluoride) or no treatment? Background Tooth decay is a health problem worldwide, affecting the vast majority of adults and children. Levels ...

Review question We compared the evidence on the effects of fluoridated milk versus non-fluoridated milk for the prevention of tooth decay. Background Tooth decay remains a major public health problem in most industrialised countries, affecting 60% to 90% of schoolchildren and the vast majority of adults. It is the primary cause of oral pain and ...

Background Tooth decay is a worldwide problem affecting most adults and children. Untreated decay may cause pain and lead to teeth having to be removed. In many parts of the world, tooth decay is decreasing. Children from poorer backgrounds still tend to have greater levels of decay. Fluoride is a mineral that prevents tooth decay. It occurs naturally ...

Review question The main question was: How effective and safe is the use of fluoride gel for the prevention of tooth decay (dental caries) in children and adolescents compared to placebo (a treatment without the active ingredient fluoride) or no treatment? Background Tooth decay is a significant health problem worldwide, affecting not only the vast ...

Review question This review examined the effectiveness of varnishes and gels containing chlorhexidine in preventing tooth decay in children and young people. Background Tooth decay is a very common disease that over time destroys the tooth surface. It has been estimated to affect up to 80% of people in high-income countries and, despite being preventable ...

Review question This review has been produced to assess whether or not xylitol, a natural sweetener used in products such as sweets, candy, chewing gum and toothpaste, can help prevent tooth decay in children and adults. Background Tooth decay is a common disease affecting up to 90% of children and most adults worldwide. It impacts on quality of ...

Review question We conducted this review to assess the effects of different types of slow-release fluoride devices on preventing, stopping, or reversing the progression of tooth decay on all surface types of deciduous ('baby') and permanent teeth. Background Tooth decay is not distributed evenly among the population, with certain groups being at ...

Review question This review, carried out by the Cochrane Oral Health Group, seeks to evaluate the effects of interdental (between the teeth) brushing in addition to toothbrushing as compared with toothbrushing on its own or toothbrushing plus flossing for the prevention and control of periodontal (gum) diseases, dental plaque (a sticky film containing ...

Review question The main question addressed by this review is how effective the use of antibacterial agents in composite (resin-based, tooth-coloured) fillings might be in preventing the development of further decay either underneath or next to the filling (secondary caries). Background When tooth decay (caries) has caused a cavity in a tooth a ...

Review question Ugly white marks sometimes appear on the teeth during orthodontic (brace) treatment. These are caused by early tooth decay and usually occur with fixed (or glued-on 'train track') braces when the teeth are not cleaned properly. We know that fluoride in toothpaste helps to prevent dental decay; therefore, extra fluoride provided to ...