Cleansing agent for oral appliances in tablet form

Abstract

To provide a cleansing agent for oral appliances in tablet form that prevents sticking during the tableting process while comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of isopropyl methyl phenol and its structural isomers, and menthol.SOLUTION: A cleansing agent for oral appliances in tablet form according to the present disclosure comprises (A) at least one selected from the group consisting of isopropyl methyl phenol and its structural isomers, (B) menthol, and (C) at least one selected from the group consisting of malic acid and its salts.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an intraoral instrument cleanser for tablets that can easily remove slime from intraoral instruments and suppress the occurrence of sticking during tablet compression. [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 remain on the intraoral instruments even after cleaning with an intraoral instrument detergent, which is one of the causes of slime.

[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 Patent Application Publication No. 63-101313 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 58-134014 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Unexamined Patent 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] The present inventors have investigated new formulation technologies for removing slime from intraoral instruments and have unexpectedly discovered that slime can be easily removed from intraoral instruments by incorporating a combination of at least one member selected from the group consisting of isopropylmethylphenol and its structural isomers, and menthol into an intraoral instrument cleanser.

[0009] However, when at least one selected from the group consisting of isopropylmethylphenol and its structural isomers is combined with menthol to form an intraoral instrument cleanser, a new problem was faced in that the bonding strength between the components in the tablets was reduced during tableting of the intraoral instrument cleanser, making it more likely to suffer from sticking (an event in which part of the raw materials adheres to the punch or die, causing part of the tablet to peel off).

[0010] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an intraoral instrument cleanser for tablets that contains menthol and at least one selected from the group consisting of isopropylmethylphenol and structural isomers thereof, and yet can suppress the occurrence of sticking during tableting. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The present inventors have conducted intensive research to solve the above problems, and have unexpectedly found that the occurrence of sticking during tableting can be suppressed by further blending at least one selected from the group consisting of malic acid and its salts with an intraoral instrument cleanser containing at least one selected from the group consisting of isopropylmethylphenol and its structural isomers and menthol. The present disclosure has been completed based on this finding and through further research.

[0012] That is, the present disclosure provides the invention in the following aspects. Item 1. A cleanser for an oral instrument for tablets, comprising: (A) at least one selected from the group consisting of isopropylmethylphenol and structural isomers thereof; (B) menthol; and (C) at least one selected from the group consisting of malic acid and salts thereof. Item 2. The oral cavity instrument cleanser for tablets according to Item 1, wherein the structural isomer is thymol. Item 3. The oral cavity instrument cleanser for tablets according to Item 1 or 2, which is a denture cleanser. Item 4. A method for producing a tablet-shaped intraoral instrument cleanser, comprising subjecting a raw material mixture containing (A) at least one selected from the group consisting of isopropylmethylphenol and structural isomers thereof, (B) menthol, and (C) at least one selected from the group consisting of malic acid and salts thereof, to a tableting step. Item 5. Use of a composition comprising (A) at least one selected from the group consisting of isopropylmethylphenol and structural isomers thereof, (B) menthol, and (C) at least one selected from the group consisting of malic acid and salts thereof, for cleaning an intraoral appliance. Item 6. Use of a composition comprising (A) at least one member selected from the group consisting of isopropylmethylphenol and structural isomers thereof, (B) menthol, and (C) at least one member selected from the group consisting of malic acid and salts thereof, as an intraoral instrument cleanser for tablets. Item 7. A method for cleaning an intraoral instrument, comprising immersing an intraoral instrument in water containing a tablet-shaped intraoral instrument cleanser comprising (A) at least one member selected from the group consisting of isopropylmethylphenol and structural isomers thereof, (B) menthol, and (C) at least one member selected from the group consisting of malic acid and salts thereof. Effect of the Invention

[0013] The tablet-use oral instrument cleaner of the present disclosure contains at least one selected from the group consisting of isopropylmethylphenol and its structural isomers in combination with menthol, so that the slime on the oral instrument can be easily peeled off and removed. By using the tablet-type oral instrument cleaner obtained by tableting with the tablet-use oral instrument cleaner of the present disclosure to clean an oral instrument, the discomfort caused by the slime on the oral instrument can be reduced when the oral instrument is reattached by hand after cleaning and after reattaching in the oral cavity. In addition, the tablet-use oral instrument cleaner of the present disclosure can easily remove the slime from the oral instrument, so that the variety of oral instrument cleaners having the effect of removing the slime from the oral instrument can be expanded. Furthermore, the intra-oral instrument cleanser for tablets of the present disclosure contains at least one selected from the group consisting of isopropylmethylphenol and its structural isomers, and menthol, and further contains at least one selected from the group consisting of malic acid and its salts. This makes it possible to suppress sticking during tablet compression and reduce production losses in the tablet compression process, thereby enabling high production efficiency to be achieved in industrial production. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] In this specification, the notation X to Y regarding a numerical range means that the range is from X to Y.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 1. Mouthpiece cleaner for tablets The intraoral instrument cleaner for tablets of the present disclosure (hereinafter, also simply referred to as "oral instrument cleaner") is characterized by containing (A) at least one selected from the group consisting of isopropylmethylphenol and its structural isomers (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as (A) component), (B) menthol (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as (B) component), and (C) at least one selected from the group consisting of malic acid and its salts (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as (C) component). The intraoral instrument cleaner of the present disclosure will be described in detail below.

[0017] [(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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] [(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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] [(C) Malic acid and its salts] The intraoral instrument cleaner of the present disclosure contains at least one selected from the group consisting of malic acid and its salts as component (C). Examples of the salt include alkali metal salts such as sodium salts and potassium salts, and ammonium salts. An intraoral instrument cleaner containing components (A) and (B) has a drawback that sticking is likely to occur during tableting, but the intraoral instrument cleaner of the present disclosure overcomes the drawback by including component (C) and can suppress the occurrence of sticking during tableting. In addition, when the intraoral instrument cleaner of the present disclosure contains a carbonate compound described below, component (C) becomes a constituent of the foaming agent and plays a role in reacting with the carbonate compound to generate carbon dioxide gas during cleaning of an intraoral instrument.

[0024] In the intra-oral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure, the content of component (C) may be appropriately set within a range that can suppress the occurrence of sticking during tableting, for example, 0.01 to 10% by weight, and from the viewpoint of more effectively suppressing the occurrence of sticking during tableting, the content is preferably 0.05 to 5% by weight, more preferably 0.1 to 3% by weight, and even more preferably 0.5 to 2% by weight.

[0025] In the intra-oral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure, the content ratio of component (C) to component (A) is not particularly limited, and the content of component (C) per 1 part by weight of component (A) is, for example, 0.1 to 100 parts by weight. From the viewpoint of more effectively suppressing the occurrence of sticking during tableting, the content is preferably 1 to 50 parts by weight, more preferably 3 to 40 parts by weight, and even more preferably 5 to 30 parts by weight.

[0026] In the intra-oral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure, the content ratio of component (C) to component (B) is not particularly limited, and the content of component (C) per 1 part by weight of component (B) is, for example, 0.1 to 100 parts by weight. From the viewpoint of more effectively suppressing the occurrence of sticking during tableting, the content is preferably 1 to 50 parts by weight, more preferably 3 to 40 parts by weight, and even more preferably 5 to 30 parts by weight.

[0027] [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.

[0028] (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.

[0029] 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 cleaners (i.e., those capable of generating carbon dioxide in water) can be used.

[0030] 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 other than malic acid include, but are not limited to, organic acids such as citric acid, tartaric acid, fumaric 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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 (including malic 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.

[0033] 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 (including malic 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.

[0034] (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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] Bleaching agents include, for example, oxygen-based bleaching agents such as monopersulfates, perborates, percarbonates, and persulfates.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] (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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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 %.

[0042] (Surfactant) The intra-oral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure may contain a surfactant. The surfactant serves as a component that exerts a chemical cleaning effect, etc.

[0043] The type of surfactant to be incorporated in the intra-oral appliance cleaner of the present disclosure is not particularly limited as long as it is usable as a component of a cleaner, and any of anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, and amphoteric surfactants may be used. Among these surfactants, anionic surfactants are preferable.

[0044] Examples of anionic surfactants include α-olefin sulfonate, alkyl sulfate, alkyl benzene sulfonate, alkyl sulfoacetate, and alkane sulfonate. Examples of salt forms of anionic surfactants include alkali metal salts such as sodium and potassium, alkaline earth metal salts such as magnesium and calcium, ammonium salts, amine salts, and acid addition salts such as hydrochloride. Among anionic surfactants, preferred are α-olefin sulfonate and alkyl sulfate, and more preferred are sodium α-olefin sulfonate and sodium lauryl sulfate.

[0045] In the intraoral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure, one type of surfactant may be blended alone, or two or more types of surfactants may be blended in combination.

[0046] In the intra-oral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure, the content of the surfactant is not particularly limited as long as it is capable of exerting a foaming effect when cleaning intra-oral instruments, and may be set appropriately depending on the type of surfactant used, the cleaning power to be provided, etc., and can be, for example, 0.1 to 10 wt %, preferably 0.5 to 7 wt %, and more preferably 1 to 5 wt % in terms of the total amount of surfactant.

[0047] (Sugar alcohol) The oral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure may contain a sugar alcohol. The sugar alcohol is a component that acts as a binder.

[0048] The type of sugar alcohol is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, erythritol, etc. The sugar alcohols listed above may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among the sugar alcohols listed above, sorbitol is preferred.

[0049] In the intraoral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure, the sugar alcohol content is, for example, 1 to 30 wt %, preferably 3 to 20 wt %, and more preferably 4 to 15 wt %, in terms of the total amount of sugar alcohol.

[0050] (Polyalkylene glycol) The intra-oral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure may contain a polyalkylene glycol. The polyalkylene glycol is a component that functions as a binder.

[0051] Specific examples of the polyalkylene glycol include polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, and polybutylene glycol.

[0052] The polyalkylene glycol may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among the polyalkylene glycols exemplified above, polyethylene glycol is preferred.

[0053] In the intra-oral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure, the content of polyalkylene glycol is, for example, 0.1 to 5 wt %, preferably 0.5 to 2 wt %, and more preferably 0.5 to 1.5 wt %.

[0054] (lubricant) The oral appliance cleanser of the present disclosure may contain a lubricant to facilitate the molding process into tablets.

[0055] The type of lubricant is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include magnesium stearate, calcium stearate, sodium stearyl fumarate, sucrose fatty acid esters, sodium lauryl sulfate, talc, light anhydrous silicic acid, and hydrated silicon dioxide.

[0056] The lubricant may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among the lubricants exemplified above, magnesium stearate is preferred.

[0057] In the intra-oral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure, the content of the lubricant is, for example, 0.01 to 1 wt %, preferably 0.015 to 0.5 wt %, and more preferably 0.02 to 0.3 wt %.

[0058] Other additives that can be incorporated into the intraoral instrument cleaner of the present disclosure include, for example, base materials (sodium sulfate, etc.), 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 incorporated alone or in any combination of two or more.

[0059] 2. Formulation and manufacturing method of oral instrument cleaner The tablet-shaped intraoral instrument cleaner of the present disclosure is obtained by tableting using the intraoral instrument cleaner for tablets of the present disclosure. Formulation into tablets can be performed by a commonly used tableting method. For example, a raw material mixture obtained by mixing the components (A) to (C) and other additives that are blended as necessary may be subjected to a tableting process. The intraoral instrument cleaner for tablets of the present disclosure contains the component (C) in addition to the components (A) and (B), so that sticking can be suppressed during tableting and production losses in the tableting process can be suppressed, thereby achieving high production efficiency in industrial production. In addition, the mixture may be granulated into granules as necessary prior to the tableting process.

[0060] In addition, in the tablet-shaped intraoral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure, the weight per tablet is not particularly limited and may be appropriately set based on ease of use, but it is desirable to set the weight per tablet to the amount required for one intraoral instrument cleansing. Specifically, the weight per tablet of the tablet-shaped intraoral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure is 1 to 4 g, preferably 2 to 3 g.

[0061] 3. Uses of oral instrument cleaners The tablet-form 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.

[0062] 4. How to use the oral instrument cleaner When the tablet-shaped 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 tablet-shaped intraoral instrument cleaner of the present disclosure dissolves and cleans the intraoral instrument. In addition, since the tablet-shaped intraoral instrument cleaner of the present disclosure contains component (A) and component (B), slime on the intraoral instrument can be easily removed by immersing the intraoral instrument in the cleaning solution. This reduces the discomfort caused by slime on the intraoral instrument when and after the intraoral instrument is re-attached by hand after cleaning.

[0063] The water used when cleaning intraoral instruments using the tablet-form intraoral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include tap water, purified water, distilled water, and physiological saline.

[0064] When cleaning an intra-oral instrument using the tablet-form intra-oral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure, the intra-oral instrument may be immersed in water and then the tablet-form intra-oral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure may be added, or the intra-oral instrument may be immersed in water after the tablet-form intra-oral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure has been added.

[0065] In addition, in cleaning intraoral instruments, the ratio of the tablet-type intraoral instrument cleaner of the present disclosure to water is appropriately set depending on the composition of the tablet-type intraoral instrument cleaner of the present disclosure, the degree of slime of the intraoral instrument to be cleaned, etc., but for example, the tablet-type 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 an intraoral instrument, 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 tablet-type intraoral instrument cleaner of the present disclosure is added to it.

[0066] 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.

[0067] 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

[0068] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to examples, but the present disclosure is not limited to these examples.

[0069] Test Example 1 (Evaluation of Sticking) The components shown in Tables 1 and 2 were mixed using a Redige mixer (Matsubo Co., Ltd., model number: M20) and the composition was compressed with a 20φ diameter die and a tableting machine (Kikusui Seisakusho Co., Ltd., rotary powder molding machine, model number: CLEC1518SS7JZ) at a compression pressure of 5t to prepare tablet-shaped oral instrument cleaners weighing 2g per tablet. Three sets of mortars and pestles were evenly placed on the rotating plate of the tableting machine, and after continuously compressing 100 tablets of the oral instrument cleaner, the mortars and pestles were observed and the number of sets of mortars and pestles in which sticking occurred in either the mortar or the pestle was counted. The results are shown in Tables 1 and 2.

[0070] [Table 1]

[0071] [Table 2]

[0072] As shown in Tables 1 and 2, when malic acid was added to an intraoral instrument cleanser containing isopropylmethylphenol or thymol and l-menthol, the occurrence of sticking was effectively suppressed (Examples 1 to 8). On the other hand, when malic acid was not added to an intraoral instrument cleanser containing isopropylmethylphenol or thymol and l-menthol, the occurrence of sticking was observed (Comparative Examples 1 to 12).

[0073] Test Example 2 (Sliminess Removal Test) A tablet-shaped intraoral instrument cleaner was prepared with the composition shown in Table 3. Specifically, the composition obtained by mixing the components shown in Table 3 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.

[0074] The tablet-shaped intraoral instrument cleansers prepared in Experimental Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Experimental Examples 1 to 9 were subjected to a slime removal test by the following method.

[0075] <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.

[0076] 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.

[0077] 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.

[0078] (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 biofilms attached were immersed in each cup, and one tablet of each of the intraoral instrument cleaners prepared in Experimental Examples 1 to 4, Comparative Experimental Examples 1 to 9, and Reference Example 2 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.

[0079] (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 with the biofilm attached before washing 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) washed with the intraoral instrument cleaner prepared in Reference Example 2 was evaluated in the same manner as above, and the average value of the five evaluations (average value of the reference sample) was obtained. Then, the ease of peeling off of the biofilm of the resin chip (evaluation sample) washed with each intraoral instrument cleaner prepared in Experimental Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Experimental Examples 1 to 9 was evaluated in the same manner as above, and the average value of the five evaluations (average value of the evaluation sample) was obtained. TIFF2025035484000003.tif25151

[0080] 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 3. Slime removal improvement score = average value of control sample - average value of evaluation sample

[0081] [Table 3]

[0082] From the results in Table 3, it was confirmed that the intraoral instrument cleansers prepared in Experimental Examples 1 to 4, which contain both isopropyl methylphenol 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 Experimental Examples 1 to 9, which contain isopropyl methylphenol, thymol, or l-menthol alone.

[0083] Furthermore, when the slime removal test was performed using ethylene vinyl acetate chips or copolymer polyester chips, which are materials for mouthpieces and retainers, instead of the resin chips, which are materials for dentures, the same results were obtained. That is, it was confirmed that the intraoral instrument cleansers prepared in Experimental Examples 1 to 4 had higher slime removal improvement scores and could remove slime more easily, compared to the intraoral instrument cleansers prepared in Comparative Experimental Examples 1 to 9, even for the mouthpiece and retainer materials.

[0084] Prescription Examples Tablet-shaped intraoral instrument cleaners having the compositions shown in Tables 4 and 5 were prepared in the same manner as in Test Example 1, and the sticking was evaluated. The results are shown in Tables 4 and 5. From the results in Tables 4 and 5, it was confirmed that the occurrence of sticking can be effectively suppressed in intraoral instrument cleaners containing isopropylmethylphenol or thymol and l-menthol when malic acid is added.

[0085] [Table 4]

[0086] [Table 5]

Claims

1. An oral cavity instrument cleanser for tablets, comprising: (A) at least one member selected from the group consisting of isopropylmethylphenol and structural isomers thereof; (B) menthol; and (C) at least one member selected from the group consisting of malic acid and salts thereof.

2. 2. The oral cavity instrument cleanser for tablets according to claim 1, wherein the structural isomer is thymol.

3. 3. The oral cavity instrument cleanser according to claim 1, which is a denture cleanser.

4. A method for producing a tablet-shaped intraoral instrument cleanser, comprising subjecting a raw material mixture containing (A) at least one selected from the group consisting of isopropylmethylphenol and structural isomers thereof, (B) menthol, and (C) at least one selected from the group consisting of malic acid and salts thereof, to a tableting step.

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