Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38599933›Full record

SynthesisInternational dental journal2024

Clinical Effects of Sugar Substitutes on Cariogenic Bacteria: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Nicky Linlin Liang, Bella Weijia Luo, Ivy Guofang Sun, Chun Hung Chu, Duangporn Duangthip

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in International dental journal, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Boesenbergia rotunda extract-based mucoadhesive mouth gargle for chemoradiation-induced oral mucositis: A prospective randomized controlled study.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026
    Trial
  3. Review
  4. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Nicky Linlin LiangFaculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Bella Weijia LuoFaculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Ivy Guofang SunFaculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Chun Hung ChuFaculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Duangporn DuangthipFaculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; College of Dentistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA. Electronic address: duangthip.2@osu.edu.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe use of sugar substitutes in food products has recently increased. Limited information regarding the role of various sugar substitutes in caries prevention was found. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the effects of sugar substitute consumption on reducing cariogenic bacteria in dental plaque and saliva.

methodsWe systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science (inception to July 2023) for prospective controlled trials published in English and investigated the effects of sugar substitute consumption on cariogenic bacteria in dental plaque and saliva. The primary outcome was the changes in cariogenic bacteria. Two independent reviewers screened the papers. Quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tools.

resultsFrom 977 studies identified, 32 trials were included. Almost half (14/32, 44%) of the included studies had a high risk of bias. Almost all (31/32, 96.88%) were investigations of xylitol and other sugar alcohols (low-intensity sweeteners), such as sorbitol, erythritol, and maltitol. Only one trial investigated stevia, a high-intensity sweetener, whereas no studies on other high-intensity sweeteners, such as sucralose, saccharin, or aspartame, were found. Almost all studies (30/32, 93.75%) showed the consumption of low-intensity sweeteners led to a significant reduction of different types of cariogenic bacteria. The results of the meta-analysis showed that consumption of low-intensity sweeteners led to a significant reduction of cariogenic bacteria in both dental plaque and saliva compared to no treatment.

conclusionThe consumption of low-intensity sweeteners helps reduce cariogenic bacteria in dental plaque and saliva. There is limited clinical evidence regarding the role of high-intensity sweeteners in reducing cariogenic bacteria.

Indexed as

Dental CariesDental PlaqueSalivaSweetening AgentsHumansSugar AlcoholsSugar AlcoholsSweetening AgentsCariogenic bacteriaDental cariesOral healthSugar substitutesXylitol

Identifiers

PMID38599933
PMCPMC11561516

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.