Safety and efficacy
Water fluoridation
A 2014 Public Health England report on water fluoridation reinforced the view from previous research that water fluoridation is a safe and effective public health measure.1
Miconazole gel
A recent systematic review of 17 trials found that miconazole was more effective than nystatin for thrush, and that miconazole oral gel may be more effective than other formulations with regard to long-term results. No significant difference was found in the safety evaluation between miconazole and other treatments. However, the authors considered that most studies had a high or moderate level of bias and recommended that future studies should be adequately powered, large-scale, and well- designed in order to provide higher-quality evidence.2
Chlorhexidine
No relevant evidence has been found in relation to the efficacy of chlorhexidine in the OTC treatment of oral candidiasis. A systematic review concluded that chlorhexidine mouthrinses together with oral hygiene measures provided significant reductions in plaque and gingivitis scores compared to placebo or a control mouthrinse.3
Fluoride supplements
The authors of a systematic review of 19 papers published between 2003 and 2014 stated that their findings further substantiated the previously established evidence for a caries- preventive effect of fluoride mouth rinse, gel and foam. However, the lack of clinical trials free from bias was said to be a concern.4
A 2011 Cochrane Review found that the use of fluoride supplements, including tablets, was associated with a reduction in dental caries when compared with no fluoride supplement in permanent teeth, although the effect on deciduous teeth was unclear.5