Bacteria battle: study finds best way to clean your clear aligners
NCT ID NCT07610603
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This completed trial tested four ways to clean clear plastic aligners used for straightening teeth. Sixty adults wore aligners for 10 days and cleaned them twice daily by brushing with water, soaking in chlorhexidine mouthwash, using an effervescent tablet, or combining an ultrasonic cleaner with a tablet. Researchers measured how much bacteria remained on the aligners to find the most effective cleaning method.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- chlorhexidine gluconate 0.2% oral rinse
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this trial could point to a simple, effective way to keep clear aligners clean and reduce dental plaque and biofilm buildup.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed trial with only 60 participants. Results may not apply to all aligner types or cleaning habits, and the study does not test long-term health outcomes.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Riyadh Elm University
Riyadh, 12734, Saudi Arabia
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