Ancient chewing stick vs. modern toothbrush: which cleans braces better?
NCT ID NCT07619014
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Sep 11, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This study tests whether a natural miswak (chewing stick) or a manual toothbrush is better at removing dental plaque in people with fixed braces. Ninety participants aged 18 to 30 will have one side of their mouth cleaned with miswak and the other side with a toothbrush. Plaque levels are measured right after brushing to see which method works best around brackets and wires.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Natural Miswak (chewing stick) and manual toothbrush
- What this could lead to
- If miswak works as well or better than a toothbrush, it could offer a simple, natural alternative for keeping teeth clean during orthodontic treatment.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study (90 people) comparing immediate plaque removal only. Results may not apply to long-term oral health or to people without braces.
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
-
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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45 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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May 2026
- Finished
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Sep 2026
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
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 30 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
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: * Patients aged between 18 and 30 years old. * Presence of fixed orthodontic appliances (brackets and wires) on both upper and lower arches. * Good general systemic health with the absence of any medical conditions that might affect oral health status. Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of advanced or aggressive periodontal diseases. * Current smokers. * Use of antimicrobial or antibacterial mouthwashes within 24 hours prior to the study session. * Systemic antibiotic intake within the past 2 weeks preceding the experiment. * Any physical or motor disability that could hinder the patient's capacity to perform proper tooth brushing.
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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
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Al-Hawash Private University, Faculty of Dentistry
Homs, Syria
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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