title: The effect of sugar-free chewing gum on plaque and clinical parameters of gingival inflammation: a 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.
  
  
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors: Department of Periodontology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: R S
authors: RS
authors: Keukenmeester
authors: D E
authors: DE
authors: Slot
authors: M S
authors: MS
authors: Putt
authors: G A
authors: GA
authors: Van der Weijden
mesh_terms: D002638:Chewing Gum; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D013549:Sweetening Agents; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D002638:Chewing Gum; D013549:Sweetening Agents