♦ = Studies selected for this systematic review.
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Review Article
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The effect of sugar-free chewing gum on plaque and clinical parameters of gingival inflammation: a systematic review
Article first published online: 30 JUN 2012
DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-5037.2012.00562.x
© 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S
Additional Information
How to Cite
To cite this article: Int J Dent Hygiene DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-5037.2012.00562.x Keukenmeester RS, Slot DE, Putt MS, Van der Weijden GA. The effect of sugar-free chewing gum on plaque and clinical parameters of gingival inflammation: a systematic review.
Publication History
- Issue published online: 9 JAN 2013
- Article first published online: 30 JUN 2012
- Manuscript Accepted: 30 APR 2012
Funded by
- Academic Center for Dentistry Amsterdam
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- chewing gum;
- gingival inflammation;
- meta-analysis;
- plaque;
- sugar-free;
- systematic review
Abstract
Objective
The aim of this study was to systematically review the current literature on the clinical effects of sugar-free chewing gum on plaque indices and parameters of gingival inflammation.
Material and methods
The MEDLINE-PubMed, Cochrane-CENTRAL and EMBASE databases were searched up to 20 April 2012 to identify any appropriate studies. Plaque indices and parameters of gingival inflammation were selected as outcome variables.
Results
An independent screening of the 594 unique titles and abstracts identified six non-brushing and four brushing studies that met the eligibility criteria. In the non-brushing studies, the use of chewing gum did not significantly affect the parameters of interest. In the descriptive analysis of the brushing studies, four of five comparisons showed a statistically significant effect in favour of the sugar-free chewing gum with respect to plaque scores. The meta-analysis for the Quigley & Hein (J Am Dent Assoc 1962; 65: 26) plaque index scores in the brushing studies also showed a significant difference (DiffM −0.24, 95% CI [−0.41; −0.08]). For bleeding tendency, the descriptive analysis showed that one of the two comparisons identified a significant difference in favour of chewing gum. The meta-analysis, however, did not substantiate this difference.
Conclusion
Within the limitations of this systematic review, it may be concluded that the use of sugar-free chewing gum as an adjunct to toothbrushing provides a small but significant reduction in plaque scores. Chewing sugar-free gum showed no significant effect on gingivitis scores. In the absence of brushing, no effect on plaque and gingivitis scores could be established.