Mouthwash may harm good bacteria – new study to test which ones are safe
NCT ID NCT07356271
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study will test several over-the-counter mouthwashes to see how they affect the balance of bacteria in the mouth and whether they influence heart health. Researchers will recruit 200 adults with or without gum disease from dental clinics and a university campus. The goal is to find out which mouthwashes effectively reduce plaque without disrupting the oral microbiome.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- mouthwashes (chlorhexidine, CPC, hydrogen peroxide, essential oils)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could help identify which mouthwashes are safe for daily use without harming healthy oral bacteria, and may point to links between mouthwash use and heart health.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early, small study (200 people) that hasn't started yet. It only looks at effects in the short term, and results may not apply to everyone, especially those with health conditions like diabetes or hypertension.
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
-
Early phase 1
The earliest testing in people: a first look at safety, in a very small group.
- Participants
-
About 200 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
-
Feb 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
-
Mar 2029
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
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
-
18 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
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 \& Exclusion All individuals aged 18 years and older will be eligible to take part in this study. Exclusion will apply to individuals who: Are current smokers, due to the well-documented impact of smoking on oral and systemic health. Have a known diagnosis of hypertension, diabetes, or cancer, as these systemic conditions may influence oral microbiome and inflammatory responses. Have taken a course of antibiotics within the last three months, since antibiotics are known to disrupt microbial balance and may confound the interpretation of oral microbiome data. Report allergies to essential oils or to milk proteins, as these ingredients may be present in the study mouthwash and could trigger adverse reactions. In addition, participants who have never previously used a mouthwash will be excluded. This is a precautionary measure designed to avoid even the minimal possibility of adverse responses.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Gingivitis are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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.
-
The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
-
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.
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can everyday supplements boost gum disease therapy?
- Can pressing six points on the body help older adults sleep?
- Seeing your gums in 3D: can personalized images spark better brushing?
- Can pulling a loose tooth and putting it back save it?
- Gum fluid proteins eyed as link between smoking and periodontitis
- Can AI-Tailored heat warnings shield chronic disease patients from dangerous temperatures?