Can a tiny water flosser beat brushing alone for gum health?
NCT ID NCT06352645
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This 8-week study tests whether using a compact water flosser (Bixdo A30 Pro) along with regular toothbrushing reduces gum inflammation and plaque better than brushing alone. About 165 adults with plaque-induced gingivitis will be randomly assigned to either use the water flosser twice daily or just a manual toothbrush. Researchers will measure gum bleeding and plaque levels at three visits to see if the flosser adds benefit.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Bixdo Ultra Compact Water Flosser (device)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could show that a portable water flosser is a safe and effective way to improve gum health and reduce plaque at home.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, short-term study (8 weeks) with no blinding, so results may not apply to long-term gum disease or other populations. The device might not be significantly better than brushing alone.
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 165 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Mar 2025
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- 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 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.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Participants between the age of 18 - 70 years old. 2. Having at least 20 natural teeth in their dentition - excluding third molars. 3. In good overall systemic health, in the opinion of the investigator. 4. In good dental health with no visible carious lesions, periodontitis, orthodontic appliances, or removable partial dentures. 5. No hard or soft tissue lesions. 6. Subjects with moderate or severe plaque-induced gingivitis: a minimum of 50% BOP, 1.75 modified gingival index (MGI), and 0.60 Rustogi Modification of the Navy Plaque Index (RMNPI) and PPD ≤5 mm. 7. Subjects who agree to delay dental prophylaxis, elective dental treatment, and cosmetic procedures (i.e. tooth whitening, crowns) for the duration of the study 8. For the main study only: Subjects who agree to refrain from using any non-study dental device or oral care products for the duration of the study, return for scheduled visits, and comply with all study procedures. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Systemic disease self-reported that has an impact on periodontal status (e.g., diabetes mellitus, HIV/AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis). 2. History of any autoimmune disease (e.g., pSS, SLE, psoriasis, IBS). 3. History of immunosuppressive chemotherapy or history of any disease known to severely compromise immune function (e.g., cytomegalovirus infection) within the last 5 years. 4. Any acute intraoral infection (e.g., herpetic gingivostomatitis, herpangina, abscesses). 5. Patients with visible carious lesions, periodontitis, orthodontic appliances, or removable partial dentures. 6. Patients with mild plaque-induced gingivitis: \< 50% BOP, \<1.75 modified gingival index (MGI), and \<0.60 Rustogi Modification of the Navy Plaque Index (RMNPI) and PPD ≤5 mm. 7. Patients with PPD \>5 mm. 8. Need for antibiotic premedication for routine dental procedures. 9. Use of antibiotics within the last 3 months. 10. Daily use of steroids or non-steroid anti-inflammatory therapy within the last 3-months. 11. Patients who self-report pregnancy or lactation (hormonal changes that can affect periodontal health and aggravate existing periodontal disease). 12. Current smokers. 13. Inability or unwillingness to sign informed consent form. 14. Patients who do not agree to delay dental prophylaxis, elective dental treatment, and cosmetic procedures (i.e. tooth whitening, crowns). 15. For the main study only: Patients who do not agree to refrain from using any non-study dental device or oral care products, return for scheduled visits, and comply with all study procedures. 16. Anything that would place the individual at increased risk or preclude the individual's full compliance with or completion of the study at the discretion of the investigators. 17. For the main study only: Patients who need assistance from others to perform their daily oral hygiene practices or read the manual of instructions that come with the at-home product. 18. Those not fluent in English
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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 study's own enquiry address
This study publishes an address for enquiries. See it below .
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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
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Study contacts
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Contact
Email: •••••@•••••
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Contact
Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
RECRUITINGBoston, Massachusetts, 02111, United States
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
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