Sugar free gum and streptococcus mutans levels

shutterstock_88561078

This review of the impact of sugar-free gum (SFG) on the level of oral micro-organisms, specifically Streptococcus mutans included 13 studies 11 of whihc were RCTs. The findings indicated that SFG reduces the load of Streptococcus mutans in the oral cavity compared to controls but noe of teh included studies were at low risk of bias.

[read the full story...]

Sugar-free chewing gum – does it reduce caries?

shutterstock_88561078

This review of the effect of sugar-free chewing gum(SFG) on dental caries included 12 studies 11 of which were RCTs. None of the included studies was at low risk of bias and ther findings suggest there is evidence to support the use of SFG in the control of dental caries in children.

[read the full story...]

Early childhood caries: Preventive interventions for pregnant and nursing mothers and other primary caregivers

shutterstock_124896361

This Cochrane review asessing interventions with pregnant women, new mothers or other primary caregivers of infants in the first year of life for preventing early childhood caries included 17 RCTs .

[read the full story...]

Xylitol in toothpaste may provide small additional benefit over fluoride toothpastes

shutterstock_89901511

This Cochrane review included 10 studies and found low quality evidence that fluoride toothpaste containing xylitol may be more effective than fluoride-only toothpaste for preventing caries in the permanent teeth. The evidence for other xylitol products is insufficient to assess effectiveness.

[read the full story...]

Xylitol gum reduced mutans streptococci transmission

shutterstock_79762429

This review identified 5 trials reported in 11 publications and found that the chewing of xylitol gum by mothers significantly reduced transmission of mutans streptococci to their children. However the effects on caries were inconsistent.

[read the full story...]

Latest Cochrane Protocol

shutterstock_96386192

September has seen the publication of one new protocol from the Cochrane Oral Health Group. Sharif MO, Ahmed F, Worthington HV. Xylitol-containing products for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents (Protocol). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 9. Art. No.: CD010743. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010743.   The aim of the review is to assess the [read the full story…]

New Cochrane Protocols for Oct and Nov 2012

shutterstock_74352844

October saw one new Cochrane protocol published on the Cochrane Library which slipped passed the Elf’s gaze. Cope A, Francis N, Wood F, Mann MK, Chestnutt IG. Systemic antibiotics for symptomatic apical periodontitis and acute apical abscess in adults (Protocol). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2012, Issue 10. Art. No.: CD010136. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010136. The principal [read the full story…]

School-based use of xylitol/maltitol or erythritol/maltitol lozenges in low caries area had no additional caries preventive effect

Photograph of carious teeth

The aim of the study was to investigate whether, in a school-based setting in a low caries prevalence population xylitol/maltitol  or erythritol/maltitol conferred any additional caries preventive effect. Xylitol is a non-fermentable sugar alcohol Erythritol is a noncaloric tetritol (tetrahydroxy alcohols) with about  70% of the sweetness of  sucrose. Maltitol is generally considered an inert [read the full story…]

Non-fluoride agents may provide some adjunctive benefit to those at higher risk of caries

shutterstock_58869371 caries

The use of topical fluoride together with  fluoridated water and fissure sealants are mainstays of caries management.  A range of non-fluoride agents  caries preventive agents are also in use and these are reviewed to provide  evidence-based clinical recommendations. The authors evaluated studies of sucrose-free polyol chewing gums, xylitol dentifrices, chlorhexidine, chlorhexidine in combination with thymol, [read the full story…]