Cleansing agent for oral appliances

Abstract

To provide a cleansing agent for oral appliances that allows for easy removal of sliminess on oral appliances.SOLUTION: A cleansing agent for oral appliances according to the present disclosure comprises (A) at least one selected from the group consisting of isopropyl methyl phenol and its structural isomers, and (B) menthol.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an intra-oral appliance cleanser that can easily remove slime from intra-oral appliances. [Background technology]

[0002] Dentures and other oral appliances are prone to bacteria, biofilms, and other deposits, and if left uncleaned, they can cause bad breath and may even contribute to oral diseases such as periodontal disease. Therefore, as part of oral care, it is essential to clean and keep oral appliances clean. Since bacteria and dirt adhering to oral appliances cannot be sufficiently removed by cleaning with a brush, cleaning with a detergent is important.

[0003] Cleaning of intraoral instruments with a detergent is generally performed by immersing the intraoral instruments in cleaning water prepared by adding the detergent to water. Conventionally, intraoral instrument detergents contain surfactants and foaming agents (carbonic acid and carbonate), and are designed to enhance the cleaning effect by exerting chemical cleaning power due to surface activation and physical cleaning power due to foaming action when added to water. However, biofilms attached to intraoral instruments cannot be sufficiently removed by the action of surfactants and foaming agents, so many of them remain on the intraoral instruments even after cleaning with an intraoral instrument detergent, which is one of the causes of slime (a substance that has a slimy texture).

[0004] Conventionally, in order to remove biofilms adhering to intraoral instruments, intraoral instrument cleansers containing bleach have been used.

[0005] It is also known that the addition of enzymes such as protease, cellulase, β1,3-glucanase, lipase, and mutanase to a denture cleanser can impart an effect of removing biofilms attached to dentures (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 4). Patent Document 5 describes that a denture cleansing liquid composition containing (A) a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether having an average number of moles of ethylene oxide added of 10 to 20 and an alkyl group having 12 to 20 carbon atoms, (B) a protease, and (C) a cationic bactericide, exhibits excellent removing and bactericidal properties against denture biofilms. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 63-101313 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 58-134014 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 57-142910 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 51-38415 [Patent Document 5] JP 2008-179615 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, even with intraoral instrument cleaners containing bleach or enzymes, the biofilm removal effect is insufficient, and slime on intraoral instruments caused by biofilms and the like cannot be removed sufficiently. Thus, intraoral instrument cleaners containing bleach or enzymes have a limited effect of removing slime from intraoral instruments. In addition, from the viewpoint of expanding the variety of intraoral instrument cleaners, there has been a demand for the development of a new formulation technology for easily removing slime from intraoral instruments.

[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an intra-oral instrument cleanser that can easily remove slime from intra-oral instruments. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present inventors have conducted intensive research to solve the above problems, and have unexpectedly found that slime on intraoral instruments can be easily removed by incorporating at least one selected from the group consisting of isopropylmethylphenol and its structural isomers in combination with menthol into an intraoral instrument cleanser. The present disclosure has been completed based on this finding and through further research.

[0010] That is, the present disclosure provides the inventions of the following aspects. Item 1. An intraoral instrument cleanser comprising: (A) at least one member selected from the group consisting of isopropylmethylphenol and structural isomers thereof; and (B) menthol. Item 2. The oral instrument cleanser according to Item 1, wherein the structural isomer is thymol. Item 3. The intraoral instrument cleanser according to Item 1 or 2, which is a denture cleanser. Item 4. Use of a composition comprising (A) at least one member selected from the group consisting of isopropylmethylphenol and structural isomers thereof, and (B) menthol, for cleaning an intraoral appliance. Item 5. Use of a composition comprising (A) at least one member selected from the group consisting of isopropylmethylphenol and structural isomers thereof, and (B) menthol, as an intraoral instrument cleanser. Item 6. A method for cleaning an intraoral instrument, comprising immersing an intraoral instrument in water containing an intraoral instrument cleanser comprising (A) at least one member selected from the group consisting of isopropylmethylphenol and structural isomers thereof, and (B) menthol. Effect of the Invention

[0011] The intraoral instrument cleaner of the present disclosure contains at least one selected from the group consisting of isopropyl methylphenol and its structural isomers in combination with menthol, so that the slime on the intraoral instrument can be easily peeled off and removed. By cleaning the intraoral instrument with the intraoral instrument cleaner of the present disclosure, the discomfort caused by the slime on the intraoral instrument can be reduced when the intraoral instrument is reattached by hand after cleaning and after reattaching in the oral cavity. In addition, the intraoral instrument cleaner of the present disclosure can easily remove the slime from the intraoral instrument, so that it has the advantage of being able to expand the variety of intraoral instrument cleaners that have the effect of removing slime from the intraoral instrument. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] In this specification, the notation X to Y regarding a numerical range means that the range is from X to Y.

[0013] In this specification, the term "oral appliance" refers to a dental appliance that needs to be worn and removed in the oral cavity, such as a complete denture, a partial denture, an orthodontic appliance, a retainer, and a mouthpiece.

[0014] 1. Mouth instrument cleaner The intraoral instrument cleaner of the present disclosure is characterized by containing (A) at least one selected from the group consisting of isopropylmethylphenol and its structural isomers (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as component (A)), and (B) menthol (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as component (B)). The intraoral instrument cleaner of the present disclosure will be described in detail below.

[0015] [(A) Isopropylmethylphenol and its structural isomers] The intraoral instrument cleaner of the present disclosure contains at least one selected from the group consisting of isopropylmethylphenol and its structural isomers as component (A). In the intraoral instrument cleaner of the present disclosure, component (A) is a component for easily removing (facilitating removal of) slime from an intraoral instrument by combining with component (B). In addition, by including component (A) in the intraoral instrument cleaner, antibacterial and bactericidal effects can be imparted to the intraoral instrument cleaner. In this specification, "isopropylmethylphenol" means "4-isopropyl-3-methylphenol". The structural isomer of isopropylmethylphenol is not particularly limited as long as it is pharmacologic acceptable, but examples thereof include thymol and carvacrol, and thymol is preferred from the viewpoint of easily and effectively removing slime from an intraoral instrument.

[0016] In the intra-oral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure, the content of component (A) may be appropriately set within a range in which the desired slime removal effect is obtained, for example, 0.001 to 10% by weight, and from the viewpoint of easily and effectively removing slime from intra-oral instruments, the content is preferably 0.01 to 5% by weight, more preferably 0.03 to 1% by weight, and even more preferably 0.05 to 0.5% by weight.

[0017] [(B) Menthol] The intraoral instrument cleaner of the present disclosure contains menthol as component (B). In the intraoral instrument cleaner of the present disclosure, component (B) is a component for easily removing (making easy to remove) slime from an intraoral instrument by being combined with component (A). In addition, by including menthol in the intraoral instrument cleaner, a refreshing feeling can be given to the wearer's mouth when wearing the cleaned intraoral instrument, and the cleaning effect can be realized.

[0018] Menthol may be any of d-, l-, and dl-isomers, but is preferably l-menthol from the viewpoint of easily and effectively removing slime from the oral cavity-worn appliance. Menthol may also be used in the form of essential oil. Essential oils containing menthol are not particularly limited, but include, for example, spearmint oil, peppermint oil, peppermint oil, and peppermint white oil. The menthol and essential oils exemplified above may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0019] In the intra-oral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure, the content of component (B) (the content converted to the amount of menthol when essential oil is used) may be appropriately set within a range in which the desired slime removal effect is obtained, for example, 0.001 to 10% by weight, and from the viewpoint of easily and effectively removing slime from intra-oral instruments, the content is preferably 0.01 to 5% by weight, more preferably 0.03 to 1% by weight, and even more preferably 0.05 to 0.5% by weight.

[0020] In the intra-oral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure, the content ratio of component (B) to component (A) is not particularly limited, and the content of component (B) per 100 parts by weight of component (A) is, for example, 10 to 1000 parts by weight. From the viewpoint of easily and effectively removing slime from intra-oral instruments, the content is preferably 50 to 500 parts by weight, more preferably 70 to 300 parts by weight, and even more preferably 80 to 200 parts by weight.

[0021] [Other ingredients] In addition to the components described above, the intra-oral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure may contain other components as necessary to the extent that the effects of the present disclosure are not impaired.

[0022] (foaming agent) The intra-oral instrument cleaner of the present disclosure preferably contains a foaming agent. When the intra-oral instrument cleaner of the present disclosure contains a foaming agent, carbon dioxide bubbles can be generated in the cleaning water, and the foaming action exerts a physical cleaning power, making it possible to more easily and effectively remove slime from the intra-oral instruments.

[0023] There are no particular limitations on the type of foaming agent, so long as it is non-toxic and physiologically acceptable, and a wide range of foaming agents commonly used in intraoral instrument cleansers (i.e., those capable of generating carbon dioxide in water) can be used.

[0024] Examples of the foaming agent include a combination of at least one of carbonate, bicarbonate, and a double salt of bicarbonate and carbonate (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a carbonate compound) and an acid. Examples of carbonates include, but are not limited to, alkali metal salts of carbonic acid such as sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate. Examples of bicarbonates include, but are not limited to, alkali metal salts of bicarbonate such as sodium bicarbonate and potassium bicarbonate. Examples of double salts of carbonate and bicarbonate include, but are not limited to, sodium sesquicarbonate. The carbonate compounds may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Examples of acids include, but are not limited to, organic acids such as citric acid, tartaric acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, maleic acid, gluconic acid, succinic acid, salicylic acid, and the like; inorganic acids such as phosphoric acid and sulfamic acid, and the like. The acids may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0025] The carbonate compound constituting the foaming agent is preferably an alkali metal salt of hydrogen carbonate and an alkali metal salt of carbonic acid, more preferably sodium hydrogen carbonate and sodium carbonate, and the acid constituting the foaming agent is preferably an organic acid, more preferably citric acid and malic acid.

[0026] In the foaming agent, the ratio of the carbonate compound to the acid is not particularly limited as long as the two can react in water to generate carbon dioxide. The content of the acid per 100 parts by weight of the carbonate compound is, for example, 10 to 200 parts by weight, preferably 15 to 150 parts by weight, and more preferably 20 to 100 parts by weight.

[0027] When the intra-oral instrument cleansing agent of the present disclosure contains a foaming agent, the content of the foaming agent (total amount of carbonate compound and acid) is not particularly limited as long as sufficient carbon dioxide bubbles can be generated when cleaning intra-oral instruments, and can be, for example, 10 to 75% by weight, preferably 20 to 70% by weight, and more preferably 30 to 65% by weight.

[0028] (Bleach) The intra-oral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure preferably contains a bleaching agent, which can improve cleaning power and more effectively remove slime from intra-oral instruments.

[0029] The type of bleach used in the intraoral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure is not particularly limited as long as it is non-toxic and physiologically acceptable, and any bleach commonly used in intraoral instrument cleansers can be used.

[0030] Bleaching agents include, for example, oxygen-based bleaching agents such as monopersulfates, perborates, percarbonates, and persulfates.

[0031] Specific examples of the monopersulfate include alkali metal salts of monopersulfate such as sodium monopersulfate and potassium monopersulfate (bis(peroxymonosulfate)·bis(sulfate)·pentapotassium, etc.), ammonium monopersulfate, and hydrates thereof. Specific examples of the perborate include alkali metal salts of perboric acid such as sodium perborate and potassium perborate, ammonium perborate, and hydrates thereof. Specific examples of the percarbonate include alkali metal salts of percarbonate such as sodium percarbonate and potassium percarbonate, ammonium percarbonate, and hydrates thereof. Specific examples of the persulfate include alkali metal salts of persulfate such as sodium persulfate and potassium persulfate, ammonium persulfate, and hydrates thereof. The bleaching agents exemplified above may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among the bleaching agents exemplified above, preferred are hydrogen monopersulfates, perborates, and percarbonates, more preferred are alkali metal salts of hydrogen monopersulfates, alkali metal salts of perboric acid, and alkali metal salts of percarbonate, and even more preferred are potassium hydrogen monopersulfate, sodium perborate, and sodium percarbonate.

[0032] In the intra-oral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure, the content of the bleaching agent may be appropriately set within a range that can exert the desired bleaching effect, and may be, for example, 1 to 40% by weight, preferably 5 to 35% by weight, and more preferably 10 to 30% by weight.

[0033] (bleach activator) When the intraoral instrument cleaner of the present disclosure contains an oxygen bleaching agent, it may contain a bleaching activator. The bleaching activator is HO2 generated from the oxygen bleaching agent in water. - It reacts with and produces organic peracids with a more effective bleaching effect.

[0034] The bleaching activator may be any known one without any particular limitation, and examples thereof include tetraacetylethylenediamine; alkanoyloxybenzenesulfonic acid or its salt having an alkanoyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 12 carbon atoms; alkanoyloxybenzoic acid or its salt having an alkanoyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 12 carbon atoms. Examples of the salt include alkali metal salts and ammonium salts. The bleaching activators exemplified above may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among the bleaching activators exemplified above, tetraacetylethylenediamine is preferred from the viewpoint of excellent efficiency in generating an organic peracid.

[0035] In the intra-oral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure, the content of the bleach activator may be appropriately adjusted according to the content of the oxygen bleach, and may be, for example, 0.01 to 5 wt %, preferably 0.1 to 3 wt %, and more preferably 0.5 to 2 wt %.

[0036] Other additives that can be blended in the intraoral instrument cleaner of the present disclosure include, for example, base materials (sodium sulfate, etc.), surfactants, binders, lubricants, flavors (other than menthol), flavor impregnating agents, enzymes (proteases, etc.), colorants, magnesium oxide, deodorants, tartar inhibitors, rust inhibitors, chelating agents, pH adjusters, sweeteners, cooling agents (other than menthol), foam stabilizers, preservatives, antibacterial agents (other than isopropylmethylphenol and its structural isomers), bactericides (other than isopropylmethylphenol and its structural isomers), preservatives, bulking agents, excipients, disintegrants, and fluidizing agents. The other components exemplified above may be blended alone or in any combination of two or more.

[0037] 2. Formulation of oral instrument cleanser The intraoral instrument cleaner of the present disclosure is solid, specifically, molded into a powder, granule, or tablet, preferably molded into a granule or tablet, and most preferably molded into a tablet. When molded into a tablet, the weight of each tablet is not particularly limited and may be appropriately set based on ease of use, but it is desirable to set the weight of each tablet to the amount required for one intraoral instrument cleaner. Specifically, the weight of each tablet is 1 to 4 g, preferably 2 to 3 g.

[0038] The tablet-shaped intraoral instrument cleanser may be produced according to a known method, for example, by subjecting a mixture of component (A) and component (B) and other components added as necessary to a granule forming process such as granulation or a tablet forming process such as tableting to produce the intraoral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure.

[0039] 3. Uses of oral instrument cleaners The intra-oral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure is used as a cleaner for various intra-oral instruments, but is particularly suitable for use as a denture cleanser.

[0040] 4. How to use the oral instrument cleaner When the intraoral instrument cleaner of the present disclosure is put into water, heated if necessary, and the intraoral instrument (preferably a denture) to be cleaned is placed in the water, the intraoral instrument cleaner of the present disclosure dissolves and cleans the intraoral instrument. In addition, since the intraoral instrument cleaner of the present disclosure contains the component (A) and the component (B), slime on the intraoral instrument can be easily removed by immersing the intraoral instrument in the cleaning solution. This reduces discomfort caused by slime on the intraoral instrument when and after the intraoral instrument is re-attached by hand after cleaning.

[0041] The water used when cleaning intra-oral instruments with the intra-oral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include tap water, purified water, distilled water, and physiological saline water.

[0042] When cleaning an intraoral appliance using the intraoral appliance cleanser of the present disclosure, the intraoral appliance may be immersed in water and then the intraoral appliance cleanser of the present disclosure may be added, or the intraoral appliance may be immersed in water and then the intraoral appliance may be added.

[0043] In addition, in cleaning intraoral instruments, the ratio of the intraoral instrument cleaner of the present disclosure to water is appropriately set depending on the composition of the intraoral instrument cleaner of the present disclosure, the degree of slime of the intraoral instrument to be cleaned, etc., but for example, the intraoral instrument cleaner may be usually about 1 to 10 parts by weight, preferably about 1 to 5 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of water. More specifically, in one cleaning of intraoral instruments, 100 to 200 mL of water is prepared, and 1 to 20 g, preferably 1 to 10 g, more preferably 1 to 5 g of the intraoral instrument cleaner of the present disclosure is added to this.

[0044] The temperature during cleaning of intraoral instruments may be about room temperature. The time for immersing intraoral instruments in the cleaning solution is usually 5 minutes to 24 hours, preferably 10 minutes to 12 hours, and more preferably 30 minutes to 8 hours.

[0045] In addition, while cleaning the intra-oral appliances, it is not necessary to stir the water to which the intra-oral appliance cleanser has been added. However, in order to more effectively remove slime from the intra-oral appliances, the water may be stirred as necessary. In addition, in order to more effectively remove slime from the intra-oral appliances, the intra-oral appliances may be scrubbed with a cleaning tool such as a brush. EXAMPLES

[0046] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to examples, but the present disclosure is not limited to these examples.

[0047] Test Example A tablet-shaped intraoral instrument cleaner was prepared with the composition shown in Table 1. Specifically, the composition obtained by mixing the components shown in Table 1 was tableted at 40 MPa using a 20φ diameter mold and a tableting machine (SMP-3012SK, small electric hydraulic pump, manufactured by Rikenki Co., Ltd.) to prepare tablet-shaped intraoral instrument cleaners weighing 2 g per tablet.

[0048] The tablet-shaped intraoral instrument cleansers prepared in Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 to 9 were subjected to a slime removal test by the following method.

[0049] <Sliminess removal test> (1) Preparation of resin chips with biofilms 5 ml of TSB (Tryptic Soy Broth) medium was placed in a 15 mL tube, and Streptococcus mutans (NBRC13955) was inoculated and cultured at 35°C for 1 to 2 days. The resulting culture was then suspended in TSB medium to prepare a Streptococcus mutans suspension with an OD of 1.05 to 1.10 at 600 nm. Separately, Candida albicans (NBRC1595) was inoculated in PDA medium (Potato Dextrose Agar) and cultured at 35°C for 1 to 2 days. After the culture, Candida albicans was collected and suspended in TSB medium to prepare a Candida albicans suspension with an OD of 1.45 to 1.50 at 600 nm. The obtained Streptococcus mutans suspension and Candida albicans suspension were mixed in a volume ratio of 1:1 to prepare a bacterial suspension.

[0050] A resin chip (20 mm x 20 mm, 1.5 mm thick, one-sided polishing; made of polymethylmethacrylate resin) was sterilized by immersing it in 100 ml of 200 ppm hypochlorous acid aqueous solution for 10 minutes and then thoroughly rinsing it with water. One sterilized resin chip was placed in each well of a 6-well plate, and 4.95 ml of TBS (Tris-Buffered Saline) solution containing 5 wt% sucrose was added to each well, and 50 μl of the bacterial suspension was further added. The chip was cultured at 37°C for 24 hours to prepare a resin chip with a biofilm attached.

[0051] After culturing, the culture medium in each well was removed, 6 ml of distilled water was added to each well, and the wells were pipetted 10 times, after which the water in the wells was removed. This procedure was repeated 2 to 3 times for washing until the distilled water added to each well became clear, and a resin chip with a biofilm attached was obtained.

[0052] (2) Washing the resin tip 180 ml of purified water was placed in a 300 ml cup, and the cup was immersed in a thermostatic bath maintained at 40°C. Next, the resin chips with the biofilm attached were immersed in each cup, and one tablet of each of the intraoral instrument cleaners prepared in Examples 1 to 4, Comparative Examples 1 to 9, and Reference Example 1 was placed in each cup, and an intraoral instrument cleaner was prepared in each cup and allowed to stand. One hour after the intraoral instrument cleaner was placed in, each resin chip was taken out with tweezers and placed in each well of a 6-well plate filled with purified water. Then, the resin chip was slowly moved back and forth five times in the well to remove the cleaner attached to the resin chip, and each resin chip after cleaning was obtained.

[0053] (3) Evaluation of slime removal from resin chips after cleaning The five evaluators washed their index fingers with ethanol. Then, the surface of the resin chip to which the biofilm before cleaning was attached was lightly rubbed in a circular motion with the index finger, and the ease of peeling off of the slime was evaluated based on the evaluation criteria in the following figure using a 9-point scale with 1 being "no slime" and "9 being no peeling no matter how many times it is rubbed". All five evaluators gave a score of 9. Next, the ease of peeling off of the biofilm of the resin chip (reference sample) cleaned using the intraoral instrument cleaner prepared in Reference Example 1 was evaluated in the same manner as above, and the average value of the evaluations by the five evaluators (average value of the reference sample) was obtained. Then, the ease of peeling off of the biofilm of the resin chip (evaluation sample) cleaned using each intraoral instrument cleaner prepared in Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 to 9 was evaluated in the same manner as above, and the average value of the evaluations by the five evaluators (average value of the evaluation sample) was obtained. JPEG2025035483000001.jpg25156

[0054] The slime removability improvement score was calculated using the following formula. It can be said that the higher the slime removability improvement score, the easier the slime is to remove. The results are shown in Table 1. Slime removal improvement score = average value of control sample - average value of evaluation sample

[0055] [Table 1]

[0056] From the results in Table 1, it was confirmed that the intraoral instrument cleansers prepared in Examples 1 to 4, which contain both isopropylmethylphenol or thymol and l-menthol, had higher slime removal improvement scores and could remove slime more easily than the intraoral instrument cleansers prepared in Comparative Examples 1 to 9, which contain only isopropylmethylphenol, thymol, or l-menthol.

[0057] In addition, when the slime removal test was performed using ethylene vinyl acetate chips or copolymer polyester chips, which are mouthpiece and retainer materials, instead of the resin chips, which are denture materials, the same results were obtained as above. That is, even in the case of mouthpiece and retainer materials, the intraoral instrument cleaners prepared in Examples 1 to 4 had higher slime removal improvement scores than the intraoral instrument cleaners prepared in Comparative Examples 1 to 9, and it was confirmed that slime can be removed more easily.

[0058] Prescription Examples Tablet-shaped intraoral instrument cleaners having the compositions shown in Table 2 were prepared and subjected to the slime removal test. The results are shown in Table 2. From the results in Table 2, it was confirmed that the intraoral instrument cleaners prepared in Formulation Examples 1 to 12 containing both isopropylmethylphenol or thymol and l-menthol had higher slime removal improvement scores than the intraoral instrument cleaner prepared in Reference Example 2 containing none of isopropylmethylphenol, thymol, or l-menthol, and thus could remove slime more easily.

[0059]

Table 2

Claims

1. An intraoral instrument cleanser comprising: (A) at least one member selected from the group consisting of isopropylmethylphenol and structural isomers thereof; and (B) menthol.

2. The oral instrument cleanser of claim 1 , wherein the structural isomer is thymol.

3. 3. The intraoral instrument cleaner according to claim 1, which is a denture cleaner.

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