5. Results for gingivitis and plaque at 7 to 12 weeks, > 6 months and long term (after cessation of mouthrinsing).
| Outcome (index) | Time | Chlorhexidine conc (%) | Studies (participants) | MD/SMD 95% CI | Effect P value | Heterogeneity |
| Results for studies with no rinse control arms | ||||||
| Gingival bleeding | 7 to 12 weeks | < 0.1 | 2 (196) | MD ‐0.07 (‐0.16 to 0.02) | 0.13 favours CHX | P = 0.19, I2 = 40% |
| Plaque | 7 to 12 weeks | < 0.1 | 2 (196) | SMD ‐0.77 (‐1.07 to ‐0.47) | < 0.00001 favours CHX | P = 0.61, I2 = 0% |
| Results for studies with placebo/control rinse arms | ||||||
| Gingival inflammation (Gingival Index) | 7 to 12 weeks | 0.2 and 0.12 | 4 (144) | MD ‐0.47 (‐0.76 to ‐0.18) | 0.001 favours CHX | P < 0.0001, I2 = 86% |
| Gingival inflammation (Gingival Index) | > 6 months | 0.1 and 0.12 | 2 (1124) | MD ‐0.50 (‐1.11 to 0.11) | 0.11 favours CHX | P < 0.0001, I2 = 99% |
| Gingival bleeding | 7 to 12 weeks | 0.12 and < 0.1 | 5 (182) | SMD ‐1.29 (‐1.85 to ‐0.72) | < 0.00001 favours CHX | P = 0.02, I2 = 64% |
| Gingival bleeding | Long term | 0.12 | 3 (99) | MD ‐0.12 (‐0.2 to ‐0.04) | 0.003 favours CHX | P = 0.33, I2 = 11% |
| Plaque | 7 to 12 weeks | 0.2, 0.12 and < 0.1 | 10 (423) | SMD ‐1.74 (‐2.51 to ‐0.98) | < 0.00001 favours CHX | P < 0.00001, I2 = 91% |
| Plaque | > 6 months | 0.1 | 1 (852) | MD ‐1.55 (‐1.79 to ‐1.31) | < 0.00001 favours CHX | N/A |
| Plaque | Long term | 0.12 | 4 (132) | SMD ‐1.10 (‐1.18 to ‐0.40) | < 0.002 favours CHX | P = 0.02, I2 = 71% |
CHX = chlorhexidine; CI = confidence interval; conc = concentration; MD = mean difference; N/A = not applicable; SMD = standardised mean difference.
There were no subgroup differences between the different chlorhexidine concentrations, therefore the overall effect for all concentrations combined is reported.