Electric flosser may tackle plaque and gum bleeding better than brushing alone
NCT ID NCT07805148
First seen Sep 04, 2026 · Last updated Sep 04, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether using an electric flosser along with a manual toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste reduces plaque and gum inflammation more than brushing alone. About 80 adults with mild gum disease will follow one of two routines for 30 days. Researchers will measure changes in gum bleeding, inflammation, and plaque buildup to see if the flosser adds a meaningful benefit.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Electric flosser used alongside a manual toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste
- What this could lead to
- If effective, this could support electric flossers as a practical tool for improving daily oral hygiene and reducing gum disease.
- What could go wrong
- The trial is small and short, lasting only 30 days, so any benefits may not persist long-term. Results depend on participants following the routine consistently.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 80 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Aug 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Oct 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 70 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Provide a signed and dated informed consent document indicating that the participant has been informed of all pertinent aspects of the study before any assessment is performed. 2. Be generally healthy at least 18 to 70 years of age, at the signing of the informed consent 3. Biological sex at birth was male or female. 4. Be regular manual toothbrush users and able to brush their own teeth daily. 5. Willing and able to comply with scheduled visits, study restrictions, (Lifestyle Considerations) and other study procedures. 6. A participant in good general and mental health, in the opinion of the investigator or medically qualified designee; no clinically significant and relevant abnormalities in medical history or upon oral examination. 7. Be willing to refrain from all oral hygiene for approximately 8-12 hours before each study visit and discontinue eating and drinking for approximately 30 minutes before each study visit, except for sips of water. 8. Be willing and able to refrain from dental treatment during the course of the study, except on an emergency basis. 9. Have sufficient motor skills to perform interdental cleaning. 10. Willing to use only the test products provided during the 30-day study. 11. For the duration of the study, willing to refrain from the use of any non-study-related products, especially dental floss, all interdental cleaning aids, mouthrinses, and anti-plaque/anti-gingivitis products. 12. Participant's oral health meets all of the following: Screening Visit: 13. A participant with good dental health based on medical history and oral soft tissue examination at screening. 14. No significant oral soft tissue pathology based on a visual examination. 15. Have at least 20 natural teeth with scorable facial and lingual proximal surfaces. The following will not be included in the scorable tooth count: third molars, teeth that are fully crowned/extensively restored, grossly carious, orthodontically banded/bonded or abutment teeth, teeth exhibiting general cervical abrasion and/or enamel abrasion, calculus deposits, and extrinsic tooth stain which, in the opinion of the clinical examiner, would interfere with the assessments. 16. Has mild to moderate plaque-induced gingivitis in the opinion of the clinical examiner, based on a gross assessment of gingival health (review of gingival inflammation, probing measurements and bleeding on probing) to avoid inclusion of participants with ≥ 30% of teeth with Stages II-IV periodontal disease. Baseline Visit: 17. Present with a mean gingival index score ≥ 1.75 according to the Modified Gingival Index and at least 20% interdental bleeding on probing (BOP) sites. 18. Participant presents with a mean proximal plaque index score ≥ 0.6 according to the Rustogi Modified Navy Plaque Index (RMNPI), following an 8 to 12-hour plaque accumulation period. Exclusion Criteria: 1. An employee of the investigational site, either directly involved in the conduct of the study or a member of their immediate family; or an employee of the investigational site otherwise supervised by the investigator. 2. Have participated in any study involving oral care products, concurrently or within the 30 days of baseline exams. 3. Require antibiotic premedication before dental procedures. 4. Self-reported serious medical conditions. 5. If female, pregnant or lactating since these conditions can impact the gingivitis assessments. 6. Currently taking a systemic medication (e.g., anti-inflammatory, anti-coagulant, immunosuppressants) or traditional/ herbal remedy which, in the opinion of the Investigator, could affect plaque/ gingival condition (e.g., ibuprofen, aspirin, warfarin, cyclosporin, phenytoin, calcium channel blockers). 7. Have had antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-coagulant medication or chemotherapeutic antiplaque/antigingivitis therapy within 14days of screening exams. 8. Has been diagnosed with xerostomia or is taking any medication that in the view of the investigator is causing xerostomia. 9. Currently using any form of tobacco products (such as smoked, smokeless, and electronic nicotine delivery systems, cigarettes, cigars, hookahs, pipe tobacco, snuff, snus, chewing tobacco, nicotine pouch or dissolvable products). 10. Currently using any cannabis product via smoking, vaping or dabbing. 11. Currently active orthodontic treatment (e.g., orthodontic banding, fixed or removable appliances (including Invisalign type appliances). 12. Daily wears a night guard or other such device for bruxism or TMJ disorder. 13. A history of adverse effects, oral soft or hard tissue sensitivity, to any ingredient in the test materials. 14. Using an antibacterial dentifrice or mouthwash (e.g., chlorhexidine, Cetylpyridinium chloride, fixed combination of essential oils mouthwash, stannous fluoride) or any oral care product that in the view of the investigator could interfere with plaque formation or measures of gingivitis, in the period between the Screening and the Baseline visits. 15. Exhibits ≥ 30% of teeth with stage II - IV periodontitis, according to the American Academy of Periodontology revised classification system for periodontal and peri-implant diseases and conditions,21 at screening and/or baseline visit, or being actively treated for periodontal disease, and has more than three teeth with periodontal pocket depths measuring more than 5 mm. 16. Presence of a tongue or lip piercing, or any other oral feature that could interfere with the usage of a toothbrush or floss product. 17. Presence of supragingival calculus or extrinsic tooth stain that can impede the visual assessment of gingivitis and plaque, at the clinical examiner's discretion.
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Therametric Technologies, Inc.
Noblesville, Indiana, 46060, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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