Oral composition and use thereof

Abstract

To provide an oral composition that can readily transition between gel and sol states, where the ability to switch between these states within an optimal time frame facilitates easier brushing in the oral cavity.SOLUTION: An oral composition includes (A) first hectorite with an average particle diameter ranging from of 101 nm or more and 500 nm or less in a 0.3 mass% aqueous solution at 20°C, (B) second hectorite with an average particle diameter ranging from of 10 nm or more and 100 nm or less in a 0.3 mass% aqueous solution at 20°C, and (C) polycarboxylic acid.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an oral composition, more particularly to an oral composition that has thixotropy and facilitates brushing in the oral cavity, and uses of said oral composition. [Background technology]

[0002] While toothpaste is the mainstream dentifrice currently in use, liquid dentifrice has also been gaining popularity in recent years. Compared to traditional toothpaste, liquid dentifrice has the advantage of spreading its ingredients to every corner of the mouth by rinsing after holding it in the mouth. However, liquid dentifrice has the drawback of being difficult to brush while holding the formulation in the mouth. For this reason, there is a demand for a liquid dentifrice that is easy to brush.

[0003] When liquid dentifrice is in a gel state while in the mouth, it makes brushing easier. On the other hand, when transferring the liquid dentifrice from the container to a cup and then putting it in the mouth, it is more convenient if it is in a sol (liquid) state rather than a gel state. A liquid dentifrice that changes viscosity from sol to gel is thought to be able to achieve both of these goals. Thixotropy is one example of a phenomenon that exhibits this property. Thixotropy is a phenomenon in which the state of a dispersion solution switches between a sol and a gel depending on the stress applied. Specifically, when stress is applied to a thixotropic gel-like substance, the viscosity decreases and it becomes a sol, and when the stress is removed, the viscosity increases and it becomes a gel again. Utilizing thixotropy, it is hoped that a toothpaste that is gel-like even without stress can be developed, which becomes a sol when stress is applied by gently shaking it with the hand, and then becomes a gel after being poured into a cup and sipped.

[0004] Hectorite is an example of a thixotropic raw material. Hectorite has high thixotropy, and when stress is applied to a solution of hectorite dispersed in water, the viscosity decreases and it becomes a sol, and when the stress is removed, it instantly becomes a gel. However, the time it takes for a solution of hectorite dispersed in water to change from a sol to a gel is very short. Therefore, when this is used as a liquid dentifrice, the sol state cannot be maintained from the time the liquid dentifrice is poured from the container into a cup until it is sipped in the mouth. The gel-like substance described in Patent Document 1 is characterized by being a mixture of a gelling agent whose main component is hectorite and alkaline ionized water with a pH of 11.5 to 12.5, and is sold under the trade name "Reductive Thixotropy Raw Material GE-100" (hereinafter referred to as GE-100) (see Patent Document 2). GE-100 instantly turns into a sol when gently shaken by hand, and completely gels when left to stand, losing almost all fluidity. GE-100 has the property of remaining in a sol state for several seconds before turning into a gel state when stress is removed, making it a promising ingredient for liquid dentifrice. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-51682 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-247892 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, if the gel-like substance described in Patent Document 1 is directly applied to a liquid toothpaste, it takes too long for the substance to gel after being placed in the mouth in a sol state, making brushing difficult.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an oral composition that has thixotropy, can be easily changed between a gel state and a sol state, and changes between the sol state and the gel state in an appropriate amount of time, thereby facilitating brushing in the oral cavity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] As a result of intensive research aimed at solving the above-mentioned problems, the present inventors have found that a gel-like oral composition containing two types of hectorite with different particle sizes can be instantly converted into a sol by applying stress and then re-gelled in an appropriate time. Furthermore, the present inventors have found that the time required for the change between sol and gel can be adjusted to a more appropriate time by further adding a polycarboxylic acid to the oral composition.

[0009] Possible embodiments of the present invention include the following. [1] (A) a first hectorite having an average particle size in a 0.3% by mass aqueous solution at 20°C in the range of 101 nm to 500 nm; (B) a second hectorite having an average particle size in a 0.3% by mass aqueous solution at 20°C in the range of 10 nm to 100 nm; (C) a polycarboxylic acid; An oral composition comprising: [2] The oral composition according to [1] above, which comprises a gel-like substance obtained by mixing a gelling agent containing (A) and (B) as main components with alkaline ionized water having a pH of 11.5 to 12.5. [3] The oral composition according to [1], wherein (A) contains 23 to 27% of Si, 16 to 17% of Mg, 0.4 to 0.6% of Li, 1.95 to 2.05% of Na, 0.0 to 0.5% of Fe, and 0.05 to 0.15% of Al in its crystal structure. [4] The oral composition according to any one of [1] to [3] above, wherein (B) is synthetic sodium magnesium silicate. [5] The oral composition according to [4] above, wherein (B) has the following chemical formula: Na + 0.7 [(Si8Mg 5.5 Li 0.3 )O 20 (OH)4] -0.7 [6] The oral composition according to [1] above, wherein (C) is one or more polycarboxylic acids selected from the group consisting of citric acid, glutamic acid, and tartaric acid. [7] The oral composition according to [1] above, comprising an (A)-containing gel-like substance obtained by mixing a gelling agent whose main component is (A) with alkaline electrolyzed water having a pH of 11.5 to 12.5. [8] The oral composition according to [7] above, wherein the content of the gel substance (A) is 0.01 to 70% by mass relative to the total mass of the oral composition. [9] The oral composition according to [7] or [8] above, wherein the content of (B) is 0.01 to 5% by mass relative to the total mass of the oral composition.

[10] The oral composition according to any one of [7] to [9] above, wherein the content of (C) is 0.001 to 1% by mass relative to the total mass of the oral composition.

[11] The oral composition according to any one of [7] to

[10] , wherein the content of (B) is 0.00014 parts by mass or more and 500 parts by mass or less when the content of the gel substance containing (A) is 1 part by mass.

[12] The oral composition according to any one of [1] to

[11] , wherein the yield value involved in the transition from a gel state to a sol state is 0.1 to 1.0 Pa.

[13] The oral composition is used for brushing the oral cavity, and the brushing is applying stress to the oral composition to form a sol; Introducing the sol-state oral composition into the oral cavity; Brushing the oral cavity after removing the stress on the oral composition to make it into a gel state; The oral composition according to any one of [1] to

[12] above, comprising: [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an oral composition that instantly turns into a sol upon application of stress and re-gelates within an appropriate time. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention will be described in detail below. The preferred and more preferred embodiments exemplified below can be used in appropriate combinations with each other, regardless of the terms "preferable" and "more preferred." Numerical ranges are merely examples, and ranges obtained by appropriately combining the upper and lower limits of each range and the numerical values ​​of the examples can also be preferably used. Furthermore, terms such as "contain" or "comprise" may be interpreted as "essentially consisting of" or "consisting only of."

[0012] [Oral composition] The oral composition of the present invention is a composition that is held in the mouth and used for brushing the inside of the oral cavity. The oral composition is a composition that is applied to the whole or localized area of ​​the oral cavity of a human or non-human mammal. The oral composition of the present invention is characterized by its thixotropy, which means that it is in a gel state when no stress is applied, changes to a sol state when stress is applied, and changes back to a gel state when the stress is removed.

[0013] In this specification, "thixotropy" refers to the phenomenon in which the state of a dispersion solution switches between a sol and a gel in response to stress, and is also called thixotropy or thixotropy. In this specification, "a substance having thixotropy" refers to a substance that exhibits thixotropy in response to stress. Generally, when stress is applied to a thixotropic gel-like substance, the viscosity decreases and the substance becomes a sol (liquid) state, and when the stress is removed, the viscosity increases and the substance becomes a gel again.

[0014] In this specification, the terms "gel state" and "gel-like" refer to a low-viscosity state with fluidity and a high-viscosity state without fluidity. The viscosity in the "gel state" and "gel-like" is, for example, 10 to 500 Pas when measured at 25°C in accordance with JIS Z8803. The terms "sol state," "sol-like," and "liquid" used herein refer to a state in which the substance has almost no viscosity and fluidity similar to that of water. The viscosity of the "sol state," "sol-like," and "liquid" is, for example, 0.01 to 9 Pas when measured at 25°C in accordance with JIS Z8803.

[0015] The oral composition of the present invention is characterized in that the yield value involved in the transition from a gel state to a sol state is 0.1 to 1.0 Pa. The yield value is the minimum value of stress required for a substance having thixotropy to change from a gel state to a sol state. The yield value is measured using a rheometer (Viscotester iQ: manufactured by ThermoFisherScientific) at 25°C in a range of 0.001 to 10 s -1 It can be determined by measuring the shear stress when the shear rate is changed within the range. The oral composition of the present invention has the above-mentioned yield value, and thus exhibits thixotropy when a container containing the oral composition is gently shaken by hand. The oral composition of the present invention changes from a sol state to a gel state in, for example, 1 to 30 seconds after the stress applied to the oral composition is removed.

[0016] The oral composition of the present invention is characterized by containing two types of hectorite with different particle sizes. Specifically, the oral composition contains (A) a first hectorite having an average particle size in the range of 101 nm to 500 nm in a 0.3% by mass aqueous solution at 20°C, and (B) a second hectorite having an average particle size in the range of 10 nm to 100 nm in a 0.3% by mass aqueous solution at 20°C.

[0017] "Hectorite" in this specification is a type of clay mineral classified as smectite, a colloidal sodium-magnesium silicate. Hectorite is used as a thixotropic inorganic mineral gelling agent because its aqueous dispersion exhibits thixotropy. The thixotropy of hectorite varies depending on the ratio of elements contained in the hectorite and its particle size.

[0018] (A) First hectorite The first hectorite preferably has an average particle size of 101 to 500 nm, more preferably 150 to 450 nm, and particularly preferably 200 to 400 nm at 20° C. in an aqueous solution of the first hectorite prepared by dissolving the first hectorite in water at a concentration of 0.3% by mass. The first hectorite also has an average particle size of 101 to 500 nm, more preferably 150 to 450 nm, and particularly preferably 200 to 400 nm in an aqueous solution obtained by diluting the oral composition of the present invention 10 times with water. In this specification, the "average particle size of the first hectorite" refers to the average particle size of the first hectorite aggregates in the aqueous solution or oral composition. The first hectorite forms aggregates in the aqueous solution or oral composition, where multiple molecules aggregate. The state of aggregation varies depending on the concentration of the first hectorite in the aqueous solution, the pH of the aqueous solution, and other factors. The average particle size of the aggregates can be obtained by measuring the Brownian motion of the particles using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and calculating the particle size based on the Stokes-Einstein method.

[0019] The first hectorite contains, for example, the elements Si, Mg, Li, Na, Fe, and Al. The first hectorite contains 23 to 27% Si, 16 to 17% Mg, 0.4 to 0.6% Li, 1.95 to 2.05% Na, 0.0 to 0.5% Fe, and 0.05 to 0.15% Al in its crystal structure. The first hectorite contains, for example, each element in the following amounts in its crystal structure: Si:25.4% Mg:16.8% Li:0.5% Na: 2.0%, Fe: 0.0%, Al: 0.1% The first hectorite may be a naturally occurring hectorite, but may also be an artificially synthesized hectorite having the above-mentioned characteristics. The content of (A) in the oral composition is preferably 0.00028 to 1.96 mass %, more preferably 0.28 to 1.68 mass %, and particularly preferably 0.42 to 1.4 mass %, relative to the total mass of the oral composition.

[0020] (B) Second hectorite The second hectorite preferably has an average particle size of 10 to 100 nm, more preferably 15 to 90 nm, and particularly preferably 20 to 70 nm at 20° C. in an aqueous solution of the second hectorite prepared by dissolving the second hectorite in water at a concentration of 0.3% by mass. The second hectorite also preferably has an average particle size of 10 to 100 nm, more preferably 15 to 90 nm, and particularly preferably 20 to 70 nm in an aqueous solution obtained by diluting the oral composition of the present invention 10 times with water. In this specification, the "average particle size of the second hectorite" refers to the average particle size of the second hectorite aggregates in the aqueous solution or oral composition. The second hectorite forms aggregates in the aqueous solution or oral composition, where multiple molecules aggregate. The state of aggregation varies depending on the concentration of the second hectorite in the aqueous solution, the pH of the aqueous solution, and other factors. The average particle size of the aggregates is measured in the same manner as the average particle size of the first hectorite. The average particle size of the first hectorite and the second hectorite is the value measured by measuring the particle size of a 0.3% aqueous solution at 20°C using a dynamic light scattering system with a Zetasizer Nano ZS90 (manufactured by Malvern Panalytical).

[0021] The second hectorite may have, for example, the following chemical formula: Na + 0.7 [(Si8Mg 5.5 Li 0.3 )O 20 (OH)4] -0.7 It is expressed as: The second hectorite contains, for example, the elements Si, Mg, Li, Na, Fe, and Al. The second hectorite contains 28-30% Si, 17-18% Mg, 0.2-0.4% Li, 2.0-2.1% Na, 0.0-0.5% Fe, and 0.00-0.05% Al in its crystal structure. The second hectorite contains, for example, the following amounts of each element in its crystal structure: Si:29.4% Mg:17.5% Li:0.3% Na: 2.1%, Fe: 0.0%, Al: 0.0%

[0022] The second hectorite is an artificially synthesized hectorite having the above-mentioned characteristics, such as Laponite (registered trademark). Laponite is an artificially synthesized compound of hectorite and has a disc-shaped crystal structure. Laponite has a crystal structure that is 10 times smaller than that of natural hectorite, and therefore has high thixotropy. The content of (B) in the oral composition is preferably 0.01 to 5.0 mass %, more preferably 1.0 to 2.5 mass %, and particularly preferably 1.5 to 1.9 mass %, relative to the total mass of the oral composition.

[0023] In one embodiment, the oral composition of the present invention comprises a gel-like substance obtained by mixing a gelling agent composed mainly of (A) and (B) with alkaline ionized water having a pH of 11.5 to 12.5. In the oral composition of the present invention, (A) and (B) function as gelling agents, and "composed mainly of (A) and (B)" means that the sum of (A) and (B) accounts for, for example, 50% by mass or more, preferably 60% by mass or more, and particularly preferably 70% by mass or more of the total mass of the gelling agent contained in the oral composition of the present invention. Alkaline ionized water with a pH of 11.5 to 12.5 is specifically alkaline electrolyzed water. Alkaline ionized water can be produced, for example, according to the method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-51682. Specifically, alkaline ionized water can be produced by placing water in an electrolytic cell, adding an electrolyte (e.g., NaCl), and passing an electrolytic current between the cathode and the anode. An example of alkaline ionized water with a pH of 11.5 to 12.5 is the product name "Reduced Ionized Water S-100" (A.I. System Product Co., Ltd.).

[0024] In one embodiment, the oral composition of the present invention comprises an (A)-containing gelatinous substance obtained by mixing a gelling agent primarily composed of (A) with alkaline ionized water having a pH of 11.5 to 12.5. In this embodiment, the content of the (A)-containing gelatinous substance is preferably 0.01 to 70% by mass, more preferably 10 to 60% by mass, and particularly preferably 15 to 50% by mass, based on the total mass of the oral composition. Furthermore, when the content of the (A)-containing gelatinous substance is taken as 1 part by mass, the content of (B) is preferably 0.00014 to 500 parts by mass, more preferably 0.017 to 0.25 parts by mass, and particularly preferably 0.03 to 0.127 parts by mass. The gel-like substance containing (A) is sold under the trade name "Reducing Thixotropy Raw Material GE-100" (AI System Products Co., Ltd.). GE-100 contains 2.8% by mass of (A) based on the total mass of GE-100. The oral composition of the present invention can also be produced by mixing (A) with a gel-like substance obtained by mixing (B) with alkaline ionized water of pH 11.5 to 12.5, or by mixing a mixture of (A) and (B) with alkaline ionized water of pH 11.5 to 12.5.

[0025] In the oral composition of the present invention, (A) has the function of maintaining the sol state for several seconds while the oral composition changes from a sol state to a gel state, while (B) has the function of imparting high thixotropy to the oral composition, thereby preventing the oral composition from taking too long to change from a sol state to a gel state.

[0026] (C) Polycarboxylic acid The oral composition of the present invention is characterized by further comprising (C) a polycarboxylic acid. As used herein, "polycarboxylic acid" refers to a molecule having two or more carboxyl groups. Without being bound by any particular theory, it is believed that polycarboxylic acid crosslinks hectorite particles via carboxyl groups, thereby affecting the rate of gelation and solation of the oral composition. In other words, by incorporating an appropriate amount of polycarboxylic acid into the oral composition, the time required for the oral composition to change from solation to gelation can be adjusted to a more appropriate time. Polycarboxylic acids having such functionality preferably have a molecular weight of 90 to 1,000, more preferably 100 to 500, and particularly preferably 150 to 200. Examples include citric acid, glutamic acid, and tartaric acid. The content of (C) in the oral composition is preferably 0.001 to 1 mass %, more preferably 0.005 to 0.1 mass %, and particularly preferably 0.05 to 0.06 mass %, relative to the total mass of the oral composition.

[0027] Other antibacterial and antibacterial ingredients In addition to the above (A), (B), and (C), the oral composition of the present invention may contain, if necessary, a bactericidal or antibacterial component that is commonly used in oral compositions. Other bactericidal and antibacterial components that can be used include cationic bactericides, nonionic bactericides, and amphoteric bactericides. Examples of cationic bactericides include quaternary ammonium salts such as cetylpyridinium chloride, distearyldimethylammonium chloride, stearyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride, stearyltrimethylammonium chloride, cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, lauryltrimethylammonium chloride, and laurylpyridinium chloride; and cationic bactericides such as biguanide bactericides, including alexidine gluconate, alexidine hydrochloride, alexidine acetate, chlorhexidine hydrochloride, chlorhexidine acetate, chlorhexidine hydrochloride, and chlorhexidine gluconate. Examples of nonionic bactericides include phenolic bactericides such as isopropylmethylphenol, triclosan, hinokitiol, phenol, thymol, eugenol, and bisphenol. Examples of amphoteric bactericides include dodecyldiaminoethylglycine. These antibacterial components may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The amount of other bactericidal and antibacterial components added is generally 0.001% by mass to 10% by mass based on the total mass of the oral composition.

[0028] Optional ingredients The oral composition of the present invention may contain optional components commonly used in oral compositions, if necessary. Examples of optional components include surfactants, abrasives, thickeners, humectants, solvents, sweeteners, flavorings, cooling agents, pH adjusters, preservatives, coloring agents, suspending agents, functional ingredients, and flavoring ingredients. The oral composition of the present invention may also be prepared as an oral composition containing no abrasives. These optional components may be appropriately selected within a range that does not impair the effects of the present invention, and may be blended in appropriate amounts. These optional components may be compounds that have multiple characteristics (e.g., a flavoring and a cooling agent).

[0029] Examples of surfactants include sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium α-olefin sulfonate, sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, sodium N-lauroyl sarcosinate, N-acyl glutamate, sucrose fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene block copolymers, alkyl glycosides, sorbitan fatty acid esters, glycerin fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, alkyldimethylamine oxide, laurylethanolamide, sodium cocoyl sarcosinate, and sodium N-lauroylmethyl taurate solution. The amount of surfactant blended is generally 0.01% by mass to 10% by mass based on the total mass of the oral composition.

[0030] Examples of abrasives include calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, dibasic calcium phosphate, calcium pyrophosphate, insoluble calcium metaphosphate, hydrous silicic acid, anhydrous silicic acid, titanium dioxide, amorphous silica, crystalline silica, aluminosilicate, aluminum oxide, aluminum hydroxide, resin, etc. The amount of abrasive blended is generally 0.01% by mass to 50% by mass based on the total mass of the oral composition. Examples of thickeners include cellulose derivatives such as carrageenan, carboxymethyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, alkali metal alginates such as sodium alginate, propylene glycol alginate, gums such as xanthan gum, tragacanth gum, and gum arabic, synthetic thickeners such as polyvinyl alcohol, sodium polyacrylate, and polyvinylpyrrolidone, and inorganic thickeners such as silica gel, aluminum silica gel, and Veegum. The amount of thickener blended is generally 0.01% by mass to 30% by mass based on the total mass of the oral composition. Examples of humectants include polyhydric alcohols such as glycerin, sorbitol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, xylitol, maltitol, lactitol, etc. The amount of humectant blended is generally 0.01% by mass to 99% by mass based on the total mass of the oral composition.

[0031] Examples of the solvent include organic solvents such as ethanol, propyl alcohol, and isopropyl alcohol, and water. The amount of the solvent is generally 0.01% by mass to 99% by mass based on the total mass of the oral cavity composition. Examples of sweeteners include palatinit, aspartame, saccharin sodium, acesulfame potassium, stevioside, neohesperidyl dihydrochalcone, glycyrrhizin, perillarmine, thaumatin, aspartyl phenylalanyl methyl ester, p-methoxycinnamic aldehyde, sucralose, xylitol, stevia, etc. The amount of sweetener blended is generally 0.001% by mass to 10% by mass based on the total mass of the oral composition. Examples of flavorings include blended flavorings such as strawberry flavor and apple flavor, terpenoid essential oils, phenylpropanoid essential oils, etc. The amount of flavoring to be added is generally 0.001% by mass to 5% by mass based on the total mass of the oral composition. Examples of cooling agents include N-ethyl-p-menthane-3-carboxamide, ethyl-3-(p-menthane-carboxamide) acetate, N-(4-cyanomethylphenyl)-p-menthanecarboxamide, etc. The amount of the cooling agent blended is generally 0.001% by mass to 5% by mass based on the total mass of the oral composition. Examples of pH adjusters include phosphoric acid, pantothenic acid, malic acid, pyrophosphoric acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, glycerophosphoric acid, acetic acid, nitric acid, silicic acid, citric acid, metaphosphoric acid, polyphosphoric acid, and chemically possible salts thereof, as well as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, etc. The amount of pH adjuster blended is generally 0.001% by mass to 20% by mass based on the total mass of the oral composition.

[0032] Examples of preservatives include parahydroxybenzoates, benzoic acid and its salts, salicylic acid and its salts, sorbic acid and its salts, phenoxyethanol, alkyldiaminoethylglycine hydrochloride, etc. The amount of preservative added is generally 0.001% by mass to 10% by mass based on the total mass of the oral composition. Examples of coloring agents include dyes such as Blue No. 1, Green No. 3, Yellow No. 4, and Red No. 105, and pigments such as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and ultramarine. The amount of coloring agent blended is generally 0.01% by mass to 10% by mass based on the total mass of the oral composition. Examples of suspending agents include oils and fats such as olive oil, camellia oil, and castor oil, and emulsions containing these oils and fats. The amount of suspending agent blended is generally 0.001% by mass to 5% by mass based on the total mass of the oral composition. Examples of functional ingredients include glycyrrhizinic acid and its salts, glycyrrhetinic acid, pyridoxine hydrochloride, ε-aminocaproic acid, allantoin, sodium chloride, ascorbic acid and its salts, ascorbic acid derivatives, tocopherol acetate, zeolite, sodium fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate, polyethylene glycol, potassium nitrate, azulene sulfonic acid and its salts, aluminum lactate, and tranexamic acid. The amount of the functional ingredient blended is generally 0.001% by mass to 10% by mass based on the total mass of the oral composition. Examples of flavoring ingredients include tea extract, dry distillation liquid of tea, sodium glutamate, etc. The blending amount of the flavoring ingredient is generally 0.001% by mass to 5% by mass based on the total mass of the oral composition.

[0033] [Manufacturing method] The method for producing the oral composition of the present invention includes the step of mixing (A) a first hectorite, (B) a second hectorite, and (C) a polycarboxylic acid. The order of mixing the components is not particularly limited, and the components may be mixed one by one, or all of the components may be mixed simultaneously. In addition to the mixing step, the oral composition of the present invention can be prepared by a step of blending other bactericidal and antibacterial components and optional components according to a method commonly used in the production of oral compositions.

[0034] [Uses of oral compositions] The oral composition of the present invention is used for brushing the oral cavity. (1) applying stress to the oral composition to make it into a sol state; (2) introducing the sol-state oral composition into the oral cavity; (3) Brushing the oral cavity after removing the stress from the oral composition to make it into a gel state. In step (1), stress is applied to the oral composition by, for example, manually shaking the container filled with the oral composition several times, thereby changing the oral composition from a gel to a sol. In step (2), the oral composition is introduced into the oral cavity while still in a sol state, for example by transferring it from the container to a cup and then holding it in the mouth. At this time, by gently rinsing the oral cavity with the introduced oral composition, the oral composition can be distributed throughout the oral cavity. In step (3), the oral composition is held still for several seconds, preferably 1 to 30 seconds, until the oral composition becomes a gel, and then the teeth are brushed with a toothbrush or the like. [Example]

[0035] Specific examples of the oral composition of the present invention will be described below, but it should be clearly stated that these examples are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0036] [Test Example 1] Production of gel-like substance The composition of each component for producing the oral composition (gel-like substance) of the present invention was confirmed. Compositions of examples listed in Table 1 and comparative examples listed in Tables 2 and 3 were prepared. For the (A) first hectorite in the table, GE-100 ((A)-containing gelatinous substance, manufactured by AI System Products Co., Ltd.), which contains (A) and alkaline ionized water with a pH of 11.5 to 12.5, was used. For the (B) second hectorite, Laponite (manufactured by BYK Additives Limited) was used. For the (C) polycarboxylic acid, citric acid (manufactured by Showa Kako Co., Ltd.), glutamic acid (manufactured by Ajinomoto Co., Inc.), and tartaric acid (manufactured by Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) were used.

[0037] As an alternative to (A) and (B), we used bentonite, a thixotropic material classified as a smectite like hectorite. As an alternative to (C), we used phosphoric acid, an inorganic acid. 15 g of the prepared oral composition was filled into a truncated cone-shaped container (plastic bottle) with an opening diameter of 3 cm, and after leaving it at 25°C for 3 days, it was turned upside down and the time required for the filled composition to fall was measured. The measured time was evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria. ◎ (Best): 60 seconds or more ○ (Good): 30 seconds or more and less than 60 seconds △ (Acceptable): 10 seconds or more but less than 30 seconds × (Not allowed): Less than 10 seconds

[0038] [Test Example 2] Ease of Solization It was confirmed that the oral composition of the present invention can be easily converted into a sol. The compositions of the Examples listed in Table 1 and the Comparative Examples listed in Tables 2 and 3 were filled into containers and shaken vertically 30 cm back and forth once per second. The number of shakes required until the gel-like oral composition changed to a sol-like state was evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria. ◎ (best): 3 to 5 times ○ (Good): 2 times or 6-7 times △ (Acceptable): 1 time or 8-9 times × (Not allowed): Less than 1 time or 10 times or more

[0039] [Test Example 3] Gelation rate and gel hardness It was confirmed that the oral composition of the present invention gels from a sol state at an appropriate rate and has an appropriate hardness in the gel state. The compositions of the Examples listed in Table 1 and the Comparative Examples listed in Tables 2 and 3 were completely solated, and 0.5 g of each composition was placed in a circular shape on the surface of a glass plate horizontal to the ground. After leaving it to stand for 30 seconds, the glass plate was tilted so that it was perpendicular to the ground. After leaving it to stand for 1 minute, the length of the composition dripping onto the glass plate was measured. The same test was performed three times, and the average of the three tests was calculated and used as the measured value. The measured values ​​were evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria. ◎ (Best): 3cm or more and less than 7cm ○ (Good): 2cm or more but less than 3cm or 7cm or more but less than 11cm △ (Acceptable): 1cm or more but less than 2cm or 11cm or more but less than 15cm × (Not acceptable): Less than 1cm or more than 15cm

[0040] Tables 1 to 3 show the evaluation results for the examples and comparative examples. The blend amount of each component in the table is expressed in mass % when the total amount of the composition is 100 mass %. The values ​​in the "Production of gel-like material" column in the table indicate the actual measured time (seconds). The values ​​in the "Ease of solization" column indicate the actual number of times (times) it took to form a sol. The values ​​in the "Gelation rate and gel hardness" column indicate the length (cm) of the composition dripping onto the glass plate after being left to stand for 1 minute. In the compositions of the Examples and Comparative Examples, glycerin was used as a humectant, and sodium hydroxide was used as a pH adjuster to adjust the pH to neutral.

[0041] [Test Example 4] Average particle size of the first hectorite The average particle size of the first hectorite contained in the oral composition of Example 1 was measured. The average particle size was obtained by measuring the particle size of the first hectorite aggregates in 1 mL of a solution obtained by diluting the oral composition of Example 1 10 times with water at 20°C and calculating the average value. The particle size was measured using a dynamic light scattering system using a Zetasizer Nano ZS90 (manufactured by Malvern Panalytical). The average particle size of the first hectorite was 324±180 nm.

[0042] [Table 1]

[0043] [Table 2]

[0044] [Table 3]

[0045] From Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 to 9, it was possible to prepare an oral composition (gel-like substance) that, by blending (A), (B), and (C), easily turns into a sol by shaking with hands to apply stress, and changes into a gel-like substance with an appropriate hardness in an appropriate time after the stress is removed. Example 1 and Comparative Examples 10 and 11 showed that when the total amount of hectorite (the first hectorite and (B) in the (A)-containing composition) was kept constant and the composition was composed of only either the (A)-containing gel-like substance or (B), the above-mentioned physical properties were not achieved. Comparative Examples 12 and 13 showed that the above-mentioned physical properties were not achieved even when the pH of the compositions of Comparative Examples 10 and 11 was adjusted to the same as that of the composition of Example 1. In other words, it was revealed that the physical properties of the oral composition of the present invention are not determined by pH but are achieved by blending (A) and (B).

[0046] Examples 1 to 3 showed that citric acid, glutamic acid, and tartaric acid are preferable as component (C). Examples 1 and 4 show that the content of the gel substance (A) is preferably 15 to 50% by mass relative to the total mass of the oral cavity composition. Examples 1, 5, and 6 showed that the content of component (B) is preferably 1.5 to 1.9% by mass relative to the total mass of the oral cavity composition. Examples 1 and 7 showed that the content of component (C) is preferably 0.05 to 0.06% by mass relative to the total mass of the oral cavity composition. Examples 1 to 9 show that when the total content of the (A)-containing gelatinous substances is taken as 1 part by mass, the content of the (B) component is preferably 0.034 parts by mass or more and 0.127 parts by mass or less.

[0047] [Prescription example] The following shows an example of a formulation of the oral composition of the present invention prepared by mixing optional ingredients together with (A), (B), and (C). The blending amounts are expressed in mass % when the entire formulation is taken as 100 mass %. It was confirmed that the gel dentifrice, toothpaste, and non-aqueous toothpaste shown below were in a gel state when no stress was applied, turned into a sol state when stress was applied by shaking the container, and re-gelled when the stress was removed. It was also confirmed that users can easily brush their oral cavity by converting these dentifrices into a sol and then placing them in their mouths to re-gelate.

[0048] [Formulation example 1] Gel toothpaste GE-100 15.0 Synthetic sodium magnesium silicate 1.7 Citric acid 0.05 Glutamic acid 0.05 Tartaric acid 0.05 Benzalkonium chloride 0.01 Benzethonium chloride 0.01 Sodium carboxymethylcellulose 0.1 Hydroxyethyl cellulose 0.1 70% sorbitol solution 10.0 Sodium fluoride 0.1 Concentrated glycerin 30.0 Dipotassium glycyrrhizinate 0.1 Isopropylmethylphenol 0.1 Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate 0.1 Polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil 0.5 Glycerin fatty acid ester 0.5 Sodium hyaluronate 0.01 Fragrance 1.0 Purified water remainder Total 100%

[0049] [Prescription Example 2] Toothpaste GE-100 15.0 Synthetic sodium magnesium silicate 1.7 Citric acid 0.05 Glutamic acid 0.05 Tartaric acid 0.05 Benzalkonium chloride 0.01 Benzethonium chloride 0.01 Silica 7.0 Hydrous silica 3.0 Calcium hydrogen phosphate 1.0 Titanium dioxide 0.3 Sodium carboxymethylcellulose 0.1 Sodium fluoride 0.1 Sodium saccharin 0.1 Sodium lauryl sulfate 1.0 Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Taurate 0.5 Isopropylmethylphenol 0.1 Pyridoxine hydrochloride 0.1 70% sorbitol solution 10 Concentrated glycerin 20 Polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil 1.0 Fragrance 1.0 Purified water remainder Total 100%

[0050] [Formulation Example 3] Non-aqueous toothpaste GE-100 15.0 Synthetic sodium magnesium silicate 1.7 Citric acid 0.05 Glutamic acid 0.05 Tartaric acid 0.05 Benzalkonium chloride 0.01 Benzethonium chloride 0.01 Silica anhydride 10.0 Hydrous silica 5.0 Calcium hydrogen phosphate 1.0 Titanium dioxide 1.0 Propylene glycol alginate 0.1 Hydroxyethyl cellulose 0.1 Sodium carboxymethylcellulose 0.1 Hydroxypropyl cellulose 0.1 Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose 0.1 Polyvinylpyrrolidone 1.0 Sodium hydroxide 0.3 Sodium fluoride 0.1 Sodium saccharin 0.1 Sodium lauryl sulfate 1.5 Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Taurate 0.5 Isopropylmethylphenol 0.1 Pyridoxine hydrochloride 0.1 Concentrated glycerin 20.0 Glycerin fatty acid ester 0.5 Polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil 1.0 Fragrance 1.0 Propylene glycol balance Total 100%

Claims

1. (A) a first hectorite having an average particle size in a 0.3% by mass aqueous solution at 20°C in the range of 101 nm to 500 nm; (B) a second hectorite having an average particle size in a 0.3% by mass aqueous solution at 20°C of 10 nm or more and 100 nm or less; (C) a polycarboxylic acid; An oral composition comprising:

2. 2. The oral composition according to claim 1, comprising a gel-like substance obtained by mixing a gelling agent containing (A) and (B) as main components with alkaline ionized water having a pH of 11.5 to 12.

5.

3. The oral composition according to claim 1, wherein (A) contains in its crystal structure 23 to 27% of Si, 16 to 17% of Mg, 0.4 to 0.6% of Li, 1.95 to 2.05% of Na, 0.0 to 0.5% of Fe, and 0.05 to 0.15% of Al.

4. 2. The oral composition of claim 1, wherein (B) is synthetic sodium magnesium silicate.

5. The oral composition of claim 4, wherein (B) has the following chemical formula: Na + 0.7 [(Si 8 MM 5.5 Li 0.3 )O 20 (OH) 4 ] -0.7

6. 2. The oral composition of claim 1, wherein (C) is one or more polycarboxylic acids selected from the group consisting of citric acid, glutamic acid, and tartaric acid.

7. 2. The oral composition according to claim 1, comprising an (A)-containing gel-like substance obtained by mixing a gelling agent having (A) as a main component with alkaline electrolyzed water having a pH of 11.5 to 12.

5.

8. The oral composition according to claim 7, wherein the content of the gel-like substance (A) is 0.01 to 70% by mass relative to the total mass of the oral composition.

9. The oral composition according to claim 8, wherein the content of (B) is 0.01 to 5% by mass relative to the total mass of the oral composition.

10. The oral composition according to claim 9, wherein the content of (C) is 0.001 to 1% by mass relative to the total mass of the oral composition.

11. The oral composition according to claim 10, wherein the content of (B) is 0.00014 parts by mass or more and 500 parts by mass or less when the content of the gel substance containing (A) is 1 part by mass.

12. The oral composition according to claim 1, wherein the yield value for the transition from a gel state to a sol state is 0.1 to 1.0 Pa.

13. The oral composition is used for brushing the oral cavity, and the brushing is applying stress to the oral composition to form a sol; Introducing the sol-state oral composition into the oral cavity; Brushing the oral cavity after removing the stress on the oral composition to make it into a gel state; The oral composition according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising: