Oral health evidence

oral health evidence

Cochrane Oral Health comprises an international network of healthcare professionals, researchers and consumers preparing, maintaining, and disseminating systematic reviews of studies in oral health.

Oral health is broadly conceived to include the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of oral, dental and craniofacial diseases and disorders.

Cochrane Library

Cochrane Oral Health publishes its reviews, updates and protocols within the Cochrane Library.  

You can find these reviews on the Cochrane Library if you want to read about your treatment options in greater detail - but please be aware that not all countries have free access (please click here for further information about access arrangements).

You can search our registered titles, and all published protocols, reviews and updates using the links to the Cochrane Library evidence beneath.
(Tip: select Full list > view stage: all to see the most comprehensive titles list)

Our Reviews

Full list:

By subtopic:

ORAL HEALTH (214)
Anaesthesia (3)
Benzocaine (3)
Intraoperative local anaesthesia for reduction of postoperative pain following general anaesthesia for dental treatment in children and adolescents
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children having dental treatment (protocol stage)
Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment
Antibiotic therapy (4)
Antibiotic use for irreversible pulpitis
Antibiotics for the prophylaxis of bacterial endocarditis in dentistry
Antibiotics to prevent complications following tooth extractions
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: antibiotics at dental implant placement to prevent complications
Cosmetic (4)
Home-based chemically-induced whitening of teeth in adults
Home-use whitening toothpastes for whitening teeth in adults (protocol stage)
Professionally-applied chemically-induced whitening of teeth in adults (protocol stage)
Final-impression techniques and materials for making complete and removable partial dentures
Craniofacial anomalies (30)
Treatment (30)
Central giant cell granuloma (1)
Interventions for central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) of the jaws
Cleft lip and palate (3)
Feeding interventions for growth and development in infants with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and palate
Maxillary distraction osteogenesis versus orthognathic surgery for cleft lip and palate patients
Secondary bone grafting for alveolar cleft in children with cleft lip or cleft lip and palate
Keratocystic odontogenic tumours (1)
Interventions for the treatment of keratocystic odontogenic tumours
Orthodontic treatment (24)
Non-surgical adjunctive interventions for accelerating tooth movement in patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment
Adhesives for bonded molar tubes during fixed brace treatment
Adhesives for fixed orthodontic bands
Adhesives for fixed orthodontic brackets
Fluorides for the prevention of early tooth decay (demineralised white lesions) during fixed brace treatment
Interventions for promoting the eruption of palatally displaced permanent canine teeth, without the need for surgical exposure, in children aged 9 to 14 years (protocol stage)
Interventions for the cessation of non-nutritive sucking habits in children
Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (protocol stage)
Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding)
Oral appliances and functional orthopaedic appliances for obstructive sleep apnoea in children
Orthodontic and orthopaedic treatment for anterior open bite in children
Orthodontic treatment for crowded teeth in children (protocol stage)
Orthodontic treatment for deep bite and retroclined upper front teeth in children
Orthodontic treatment for posterior crossbites
Orthodontic treatment for prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) in children and adolescents
Orthodontic treatment for distalising upper first molars in children and adolescents
Enamel etching for bonding fixed orthodontic braces
Reinforcement of anchorage during orthodontic brace treatment with implants or other surgical methods
Self-ligating brackets versus conventional pre-adjusted edgewise brackets for treating malocclusion (protocol stage)
Surgical adjunctive procedures for accelerating orthodontic treatment
Orthodontic treatment for prominent lower front teeth (Class III malocclusion) in children
Interventions for managing relapse of the lower front teeth after orthodontic treatment
Initial arch wires used in orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances
Retention procedures for stabilising tooth position after treatment with orthodontic braces
Orthognathic surgery (1)
Antibiotic prophylaxis for preventing infectious complications in orthognathic surgery
Dental anxiety (3)
Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment
Non-pharmacological interventions for managing dental anxiety in children (protocol stage)
Sedation of children undergoing dental treatment
Dental caries (56)
Prevention (29)
Antimicrobial (2)
Antibacterial agents (1)
Antibacterial agents in composite restorations for the prevention of dental caries
Chlorhexidine (1)
Chlorhexidine treatment for the prevention of dental caries in children and adolescents
Gel (0)
Mouthwashes/rinses (0)
Dental floss (1)
Flossing for the management of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults
Diet (3)
Dietary advice (1)
One-to-one dietary interventions undertaken in a dental setting to change dietary behaviour
Infant feeding (0)
Sugar substitutes (2)
Xylitol-containing products for preventing dental caries in children and adults
Maternal consumption of xylitol for preventing dental decay in children (protocol stage)
Fluoride therapy (16)
Systemic (4)
Fluoridated milk for preventing dental caries
Fluoride supplementation (with tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gum) in pregnant women for preventing dental caries in the primary teeth of their children
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) for preventing dental caries in children
Water fluoridation for the prevention of dental caries
Topical (12)
Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents
Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents
Fluoride gels for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents
Fluoride mouthrinses for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents
Fluoride toothpastes for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents
Fluoride varnishes for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents
Fluorides for the prevention of early tooth decay (demineralised white lesions) during fixed brace treatment
Topical fluoride as a cause of dental fluorosis in children
One topical fluoride (toothpastes, or mouthrinses, or gels, or varnishes) versus another for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents
Slow-release fluoride devices for the control of dental decay
Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents
Topical silver diamine fluoride for managing dental caries in children and adults (protocol stage)
Interdental brushes/sticks (1)
Interdental brushing for the prevention and control of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults
Irrigators (0)
Oral health education (2)
Interventions with pregnant women and new mothers for preventing caries in children (protocol stage)
Primary school-based behavioural interventions for preventing caries
Preventative therapies (4)
Pit & Fissure sealants (4)
Micro-invasive interventions for managing proximal dental decay in primary and permanent teeth
Pit and fissure sealants versus fluoride varnishes for preventing dental decay in children and adolescents
Sealants for preventing dental caries in primary teeth (protocol stage)
Pit and fissure sealants for preventing dental decay in permanent teeth
Treatment (27)
Chemo-mechanical treatment (1)
Non-fluoride topical remineralising agents containing calcium and/or phosphate for controlling dental caries (protocol stage)
Endodontics (9)
Rubber dam isolation for restorative treatment in dental patients
Hand and ultrasonic instrumentation for orthograde root canal treatment of permanent teeth
Interventions for managing immature permanent teeth with necrotic pulps (protocol stage)
Irrigants for non-surgical root canal treatment in mature permanent teeth
Magnification devices for endodontic therapy
Materials for retrograde filling in root canal therapy
Endodontic procedures for retreatment of periapical lesions
Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth
Single versus multiple visits for endodontic treatment of permanent teeth
Extraction (0)
Fluoride therapy (1)
Topical (1)
Topical silver diamine fluoride for managing dental caries in children and adults (protocol stage)
Lasers (1)
Lasers for caries removal in deciduous and permanent teeth
Ozone (1)
Ozone therapy for the treatment of dental caries
Restorative (14)
Tooth restorations (14)
Adhesive restorations for the treatment of dental non-carious cervical lesions (protocol stage)
Adhesively bonded versus non-bonded amalgam restorations for dental caries
Atraumatic restorative treatment versus conventional restorative treatment for managing dental caries
Dental cavity liners for Class I and Class II resin-based composite restorations
Dental filling materials for managing carious lesions in the primary dentition (protocol stage)
Rubber dam isolation for restorative treatment in dental patients
Interventions for managing root caries (protocol stage)
Interventions for treating cavitated or dentine carious lesions (protocol stage)
Replacement versus repair of defective restorations in adults: amalgam
Preformed crowns for decayed primary molar teeth
Single crowns versus conventional fillings for the restoration of root-filled teeth
Operative caries management in adults and children
Direct composite resin fillings versus amalgam fillings for permanent or adult posterior teeth
Replacement versus repair of defective restorations in adults: resin composite
Halitosis (1)
Interventions for managing halitosis (protocol stage)
Maintenance (2)
Recall intervals for oral health in primary care patients
School dental screening programmes for oral health
Oral & Maxillofacial surgery (33)
Impacted teeth (1)
Open versus closed surgical exposure of canine teeth that are displaced in the roof of the mouth
Implants/prostheses (20)
CAD/CAM versus traditional indirect methods in the fabrication of inlays, onlays, and crowns (protocol stage)
Interventions for missing teeth: Removable prostheses for the edentulous mandible (protocol stage)
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: attachment systems for implant overdentures in edentulous jaws (protocol stage)
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: dental implants in fresh extraction sockets (immediate, immediate-delayed and delayed implants)
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: dental implants in zygomatic bone for the rehabilitation of the severely deficient edentulous maxilla
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: different times for loading dental implants
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: different types of dental implants
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: horizontal and vertical bone augmentation techniques for dental implant treatment
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: hyperbaric oxygen therapy for irradiated patients who require dental implants
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: implant placement at different levels in relation to crestal bone (protocol stage)
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: augmentation procedures of the maxillary sinus
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: maintaining and recovering soft tissue health around dental implants
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: management of soft tissues for dental implants
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: partially absent dentition
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: treatment of peri-implantitis
Interventions for the treatment of fractures of the mandibular condyle
Metal-free materials for fixed prosthodontic restorations
Resorbable versus titanium plates for orthognathic surgery
Interventions for the management of mandibular fractures
Interventions for replacing missing teeth: alveolar ridge preservation techniques for dental implant site development
Nerve injuries (1)
Interventions for iatrogenic inferior alveolar and lingual nerve injury
Osteonecrosis (2)
Interventions for managing medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw
Interventions for treating bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ)
Removal of third molars (2)
Surgical removal versus retention for the management of asymptomatic disease-free impacted wisdom teeth
Surgical techniques for the removal of mandibular wisdom teeth
Traumatic injury (7)
Interventions for treating post-extraction bleeding
Interventions for the management of external root resorption
Interventions for treating traumatised ankylosed permanent front teeth
Interventions for treating traumatised permanent front teeth: luxated (dislodged) teeth
Systemic antibiotic prophylaxis for preventing infectious complications in maxillofacial trauma surgery (protocol stage)
Interventions for treating oro-antral communications and fistulae due to dental procedures
Interventions for treating traumatised permanent front teeth: avulsed (knocked out) and replanted
Oral cancer (17)
Ameloblastomas (1)
Interventions for treating ameloblastomas of the jaws (protocol stage)
Oral care for cancer patients (9)
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: cytokines and growth factors
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: oral cryotherapy
Dental extractions prior to radiotherapy to the jaws for reducing post-radiotherapy dental complications
Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy
Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment
Interventions for preventing osteoradionecrosis of the jaws in people receiving head and neck radiotherapy (protocol stage)
Interventions for treating oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment
Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment
Prevention (3)
Screening (3)
Screening programmes for the early detection and prevention of oral cancer
Clinical assessment to screen for the detection of oral cavity cancer and potentially malignant disorders in apparently healthy adults
Diagnostic tests for oral cancer and potentially malignant disorders in patients presenting with clinically evident lesions
Treatment (4)
Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: chemotherapy
Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: radiotherapy
Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: surgical treatment
Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy
Oral candidiasis (2)
Prevention (1)
Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment
Treatment (1)
Interventions for treating oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment
Oral hygiene (7)
Aids for mechanical cleaning of teeth with fixed braces (protocol stage)
Oral health educational interventions for nursing home staff and residents
Interventions for cleaning dentures in adults
One-to-one oral hygiene advice provided in a dental setting for oral health (protocol stage)
Oral care measures for preventing nursing home-acquired pneumonia (protocol stage)
Oral hygiene care for critically ill patients to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia
Oral hygiene programmes for people with intellectual disabilities (protocol stage)
Oral medicine (14)
Treatment (14)
Burning mouth syndrome (1)
Interventions for treating burning mouth syndrome
Dry mouth or xerostomia (2)
Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies
Interventions for the management of dry mouth: non-pharmacological interventions
Oral lesions (10)
Interventions for managing denture stomatitis (protocol stage)
Interventions for the management of oral submucous fibrosis
Interventions for the management of oral ulcers in Behçet's disease
Interventions for the prevention and treatment of herpes simplex virus in patients being treated for cancer
Interventions for the restorative care of amelogenesis imperfecta in children and adolescents
Interventions for treating oral leukoplakia to prevent oral cancer
Interventions for treating oral lichen planus
Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers)
Topical interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (protocol stage)
Local interventions for the management of alveolar osteitis (dry socket)
Taste disturbance (1)
Interventions for managing taste disturbances
Oral mucositis (4)
Prevention (3)
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: cytokines and growth factors
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: oral cryotherapy
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment
Prevention & Treatment (0)
Treatment (1)
Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment
Oral pain (11)
Intra-, post-operative (3)
Ibuprofen and/or paracetamol (acetaminophen) for pain relief after surgical removal of lower wisdom teeth
Preoperative analgesics for additional pain relief in children and adolescents having dental treatment
Paracetamol for pain relief after surgical removal of lower wisdom teeth
Orthodontic pain (2)
Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment
Non-pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment
Treatment (6)
Dentine hypersensitivity (2)
Laser therapy for dentinal hypersensitivity (protocol stage)
Potassium containing toothpastes for dentine hypersensitivity
Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) pain (4)
Pharmacological (1)
Pharmacological interventions for pain in patients with temporomandibular disorders
Physical therapy (1)
Physical therapy for the management of patients with temporomandibular disorders and related pain. (protocol stage)
Splint therapy (1)
Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders (protocol stage)
Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (1)
Interventions for managing temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis
Periodontal disease (23)
Gingivitis (3)
Treatment (3)
Chlorhexidine mouthrinse as an adjunctive treatment for gingival health
Topical herbal interventions for gingivitis (protocol stage)
Triclosan/copolymer containing toothpastes for oral health
Periodontal disease & associated conditions (5)
Autologous platelet concentrates for treatment of periodontal defects (protocol stage)
Treatment of periodontal disease for glycaemic control in people with diabetes mellitus
Root coverage procedures for the treatment of localised recession-type defects
Treating periodontal disease for preventing adverse birth outcomes in pregnant women
Periodontal therapy for the management of cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic periodontitis
Prevention (6)
Dental floss (1)
Flossing for the management of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults
Dentifrices/toothbrushes (0)
Interdental brushes/sticks (1)
Mechanical interdental cleaning for preventing and controlling periodontal diseases and dental caries (protocol stage)
Irrigators (0)
Oral health education (0)
Oral hygiene instruction (1)
Psychological interventions for improving adherence to oral hygiene instructions in adults with periodontal diseases (protocol stage)
Psychological interventions (1)
Psychological interventions for improving adherence to oral hygiene instructions in adults with periodontal diseases (protocol stage)
Toothbrushes (2)
Manual or powered (2)
Different powered toothbrushes for plaque control and gingival health
Powered versus manual toothbrushing for oral health
Treatment (9)
Guided tissue regeneration (1)
Guided tissue regeneration for periodontal infra-bony defects
Non-surgical (7)
Adjunctive antimicrobial photodynamic therapy for treating periodontal and peri-implant diseases (protocol stage)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non-surgical treatment of chronic and aggressive periodontitis (protocol stage)
Periodontal therapy as adjunctive treatment for gastric infection
Routine scale and polish for periodontal health in adults
Supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) for maintaining the dentition in adults treated for periodontitis
Systemic antibiotics for symptomatic apical periodontitis and acute apical abscess in adults
Full-mouth treatment modalities (within 24 hours) for chronic periodontitis in adults
Occlusal interventions (0)
Surgical (1)
Enamel matrix derivative (Emdogain®) for periodontal tissue regeneration in intrabony defects