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Evidence summaries

Fluoride Mouthrinses for Preventing Dental Caries in Children and Adolescents

Supervised regular use of fluoride mouthrinse appears to be effective in reducing the increment of caries in children and adolescents. Level of evidence: "B"

Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by study limitations (unclear allocation concealment).

A Cochrane review (abstract , review [Abstract]) included 37 studies with a total of 15 813 patients. All trials tested supervised use of fluoride mouthrinse (mostly sodium fluoride at two main strengths, 230 or 900 ppm FF) in schools. Thedecayed (missing) and filled permanent tooth surfaces [D(M)FS] pooled prevented fraction (PF) was 27% (95% confidence interval (CI), 23% to 30%; p < 0.0001;35 trials, n=15 305). PF values between under 10% are considered to be a small effect; above 20% a large or substantial effect. There is little information concerning possible adverse effects or acceptability of treatment in the included trials.

    References

    • Marinho VC, Higgins JP, Logan S, Sheiham A. Fluoride mouthrinses for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2003;(3):CD002284 [Assessed as up-to-date: 22 April 2016]. [PubMed]

Primary/Secondary Keywords