🦠 New 2025 Study: The Invisible Ecosystem Living on Your Aligners

Did you know that rinsing with water isn't enough? A brand new systematic review published in 2025 reveals exactly what grows on your clear aligners.

The study, published in the journal Microorganisms, found that while aligners are generally cleaner than metal braces, they still accumulate harmful bacteria like Streptococcus mutans (the primary cause of cavities) and other anaerobic bacteria.

The researchers noted that bacteria adhere differently to plastic than to metal, creating a unique "biofilm" that requires specific cleaning methods to remove.

The Bottom Line: Your aligners might look clean, but microscopic bacteria are hiding in the pores of the plastic. Using professional cleaning solutions (like tablets or foam) is the only way to ensure they remain hygienic and odor-free.

Source: Biofilm Composition Changes During Orthodontic Clear Aligners, Microorganisms (2025). [Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12114181/]