Oral irrigation kit and oral irrigation method

Abstract

To provide an oral cleaning kit that can effectively remove dirt and plaque attached to teeth and decompose (kill) the bacteria that cause cavities and periodontal disease in the oral cavity, with only a short time and very simple actions. [Solution] The oral cleaning kit 1 of the present invention includes a container body having an opening 3d and a bottom 3e, a lid 5 that can be attached to the opening of the container body, a plurality of metallic magnesium particles contained within the container body, and a filter body 4 that, when placed inside the container body, can separate the inside of the container body into a first region on the opening side and a second region on the bottom side, through which water can pass but through which the particles cannot.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an oral cleaning kit and oral cleaning method for decomposing or removing plaque attached to teeth, dirt, bacteria, etc. present in the oral cavity. [Background technology]

[0002] Traditionally, it has been common practice to remove dirt and plaque from teeth using a toothbrush. However, when brushing teeth with a toothbrush, depending on the brushing technique, it is possible to miss spots or damage the gums. Furthermore, brushing teeth requires brushing in small, short strokes, fitting the toothbrush into the grooves of the teeth and the gaps between the teeth and gums, which requires considerable effort and time.

[0003] Therefore, in recent years, electric toothbrushes and sonic toothbrushes that utilize the rotational motion or high-speed vibration of a motor have become popular, as shown in Patent Document 1, for example. Such electric toothbrushes and sonic toothbrushes can reduce the amount of plaque left behind compared to regular toothbrushes, and can also reduce the effort required for brushing teeth.

[0004] Furthermore, mouthwash has traditionally been used to remove (kill) bacteria (Streptococcus mutans) present in the oral cavity that cause tooth decay and periodontal disease. However, simply rinsing the mouth with this type of mouthwash is not sufficient to remove plaque and dirt attached to the teeth. Therefore, even when using mouthwash, brushing with a toothbrush was still necessary.

[0005] Therefore, the inventor of the present application has invented an oral cleaning device and an oral cleaning method using this oral cleaning device that can effectively remove dirt and plaque attached to teeth and decompose (kill) bacteria that cause tooth decay and periodontal disease in the oral cavity with only a short time and very simple operation (Patent Document 2). This oral cleaning device comprises a mouthpiece part for the user to put in their mouth along with mouthwash, a vibrator that vibrates the mouthpiece part, and a vibration generating unit that generates an electrical signal to generate ultrasonic vibrations in the vibrator. In the oral cleaning method using this oral cleaning device, the user puts water or mouthwash into their mouth using the mouthpiece part and applies ultrasonic vibrations to the mouthpiece part with the vibrator. However, even when applying ultrasonic vibrations while holding mouthwash in the mouth, depending on the user's tooth condition, if the mouthwash is water or a commercially available mouthwash, it may not be possible to adequately remove plaque or break down bacteria that cause cavities.

[0006] Furthermore, commercially available mouthwashes contain surfactants, alcohol, and other ingredients formulated with cleaning performance and user preferences in mind. With so many types of mouthwashes on the market, it's not easy for users to choose one that is effective for their specific dental condition. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2010-115439 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-214520 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and its purpose is to provide an oral cleaning kit that can effectively remove dirt and plaque attached to teeth and decompose (kill) bacteria that cause tooth decay and periodontal disease present in the oral cavity, in a short time and with very simple actions, and an oral cleaning method using the oral cleaning kit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To solve the above problems, the oral rinsing kit according to the present invention is an oral rinsing kit for using a basic mouthwash for rinsing the inside of the mouth, comprising: a container body having an opening and a bottom; a lid that can be attached to the opening of the container body; a plurality of metallic magnesium particles contained in the container body; and a filter body that, when disposed in the container body, can separate the inside of the container body into a first region on the opening side and a second region on the bottom side, through which water can pass but through which the particles cannot pass, wherein the basic mouthwash is produced by stirring the plurality of metallic magnesium particles contained in the container body with the lid attached to the opening with a predetermined amount of water, and contains basic water filtered by the filter body disposed in the container body.

[0010] The oral rinsing kit according to the present invention allows users to easily prepare a basic mouthwash with a pH of 8.5 to 10.5 that can effectively remove plaque and decompose bacteria that cause tooth decay. Furthermore, any fine powder that may be generated when mixing metallic magnesium particles with water is filtered out by a filter placed inside the container, significantly reducing its inclusion in the basic mouthwash used for oral rinsing, thus greatly reducing the risk of the user swallowing the fine powder. In addition, the dissolution of metallic magnesium particles in water reaches equilibrium at a pH of around 10.5, so Mg 2+ Ion-containing basic water can be stored in a container while coexisting with metallic magnesium particles.

[0011] In the oral irrigation kit according to the present invention, it is preferable that when the plurality of metallic magnesium particles and a predetermined amount of water are stirred within the container body in which the lid is attached to the opening, at least a portion of the plurality of metallic magnesium particles are movable in the predetermined amount of water. With this configuration, the moving pure metallic magnesium particles rub against each other, and the time until dissolution equilibrium is reached can be shortened.

[0012] In the oral rinsing kit according to the present invention, it is preferable that the plurality of particles and a predetermined amount of water contained within the container body, on which the lid is attached to the opening, are agitated by changing the orientation of the container body. With this configuration, additional agitation means are unnecessary, the oral rinsing kit can be simplified, and storage space can be saved.

[0013] The oral irrigation kit according to the present invention further includes a support that is disposed at least in part outside the container body and capable of supporting the filter body disposed inside the container body, and it is preferable that the filter body supported by the support is configured to move inside the container body in conjunction with the movement of the support outside the container body. With this configuration, it is possible to accelerate the settling of the metallic magnesium particles after stirring with water and to collect the metallic magnesium particles at the bottom of the container body.

[0014] The oral irrigation kit according to the present invention can use metallic magnesium particles with an average particle size of 1.0 to 9.0 mm. Fine powder of metallic magnesium particles may ignite in a dry state, but if the average particle size is 1.0 mm or larger, it can be handled safely. If the average particle size is 10 mm or larger, the specific surface area decreases, so the time required to reach dissolution equilibrium increases.

[0015] The oral cleaning kit according to the present invention further includes an oral cleaning device, wherein the oral cleaning device preferably comprises a mouthpiece, a vibrator for vibrating the mouthpiece, a vibration generating unit for generating an electrical signal to generate ultrasonic vibrations in the vibrator, and a power supply unit for supplying power to drive the vibration generating unit. With this configuration, the physical action of ultrasonic vibrations, combined with other factors, can effectively remove plaque and decompose bacteria that cause tooth decay.

[0016] The oral cleaning method using the oral cleaning kit according to the present invention involves: placing the plurality of metallic magnesium particles into the container body; pouring a predetermined amount of heated water into the container body; arranging the filter body in the container body; attaching the lid to the opening of the container body; stirring the plurality of particles and the predetermined amount of water placed in the container body with the lid attached to the opening; and the Mg generated by the stirring. 2+ The invention is characterized by comprising: filtering ion-containing basic water through the filter and allowing it to flow out through the opening to obtain basic water; and having the user hold the basic water or diluted basic water obtained by diluting the basic water in their oral cavity. 2+ Since hydrogen is also generated when ion-containing basic water is produced, the basic water becomes reducing due to the dissolved hydrogen. Therefore, in the oral cleaning method according to the present invention, when the user holds basic water or diluted basic water (basic mouthwash) in their mouth, the user's teeth come into contact with the basic mouthwash, which is reducing and has a pH of 8.5 to 10.5, thus effectively removing plaque and decomposing bacteria that cause tooth decay. In addition, since basic water has a pH of about 10.5, it can be used as is for cleaning the mouth, but it can be used more safely by diluting it and lowering the pH depending on the degree of soiling. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the oral cavity cleaning kit and the oral cavity cleaning method of the present invention, it is possible to effectively perform both the removal of dental plaque adhering to teeth and the removal of causative bacteria of dental caries and periodontal diseases contained in the oral cavity with a short time and a very simple operation.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an oral cavity cleaning kit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of an oral cavity cleaning device. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing the mouthpiece part of an oral cavity cleaning device, (a) is a plan view, and (b) is a sectional view taken along the line A-A of (a). [Figure 4] It is a diagram for explaining the procedure of an oral cavity cleaning method using an oral cavity cleaning kit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a diagram for explaining the preparation process of basic water in an oral cavity cleaning method using an oral cavity cleaning kit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a diagram for explaining an oral cavity cleaning method performed using an oral cavity cleaning device. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing a state in which the mouthpiece part is held in the mouth, (a) is a plan view, and (b) is a sectional view of (a). [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an oral cavity cleaning kit according to a modification example of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] It is a diagram for explaining the preparation process of a basic mouthwash in an oral cavity cleaning method using an oral cavity cleaning kit according to a modification example of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] It is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an oral cavity cleaning kit according to another modification example of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] It is a diagram for explaining the preparation process of a basic mouthwash in an oral cavity cleaning method using an oral cavity cleaning kit according to another modification example of an embodiment of the present invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the external appearance of an oral irrigation kit according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the oral irrigation device included in the oral irrigation kit. Figure 3 is a diagram showing the mouthpiece portion of the oral irrigation device. Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the procedure of an oral irrigation method using the oral irrigation kit. Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the preparation step of basic water in the oral irrigation method.

[0020] The oral irrigation kit 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises an upper container body 3a, a lower container body 3b, a filter body 4, a lid 5, metallic magnesium particles 6, and an oral irrigation device 9. The filter body 4 is designed so that metallic magnesium particles 6 and fine powders larger than a predetermined diameter cannot pass through, but water can. The connection part 3c-2 of the lower container body 3b is provided with a filter body mounting part (not shown) for attaching the filter body 4. Furthermore, the connection part 3c-1 of the upper container body 3a and the connection part 3c-2 of the lower container body 3b to which the filter body 4 is attached are configured to be liquid-tightly connected by screwing. When the upper container body 3a and the lower container body 3b are connected at the connection parts 3c (3c-1, 3c-2), they form the container body 3 (see Figure 5(c)). The upper container body 3a, the lower container body 3b, the filter body 4, the lid 5, and the metallic magnesium particles 6 are assembled as described later to form a basic water regulator 2 (see Figure 5(d)).

[0021] For the magnesium metallic particles 6, "pure magnesium metallic particles" are preferred. "Pure magnesium metallic particles" means particles that contain 100% by mass of elemental magnesium metallic (Mg), excluding impurities that cannot be completely removed by the purification methods currently known and used in production settings (impurities that are unavoidable during purification). If unavoidable impurities during purification are removed and no transition metals are included, particles containing 50% or more by mass of elemental magnesium metallic (Mg) can also be used for the magnesium metallic particles 6. This is because transition metals may deposit on the tooth surface, and colored transition metals in particular may stain teeth.

[0022] The metallic magnesium particles 6 can have an average particle size of 1.0 to 9.0 mm, but an average particle size of 4.0 to 6.0 mm is most preferred. While fine powder of pure metallic magnesium particles may ignite in a dry state, it can be handled safely if the average particle size is 1.0 mm or larger. If the average particle size is 10 mm or larger, the specific surface area decreases, so the time required to reach dissolution equilibrium increases. Also, as the particle size decreases, the strength of the particles decreases, making them more difficult to handle. Therefore, the average particle size of the metallic magnesium particles 6 is preferably 3.0 to 7.0 mm, and most preferably 4.0 to 6.0 mm.

[0023] The filter element 4 can be resistant to an aqueous solution with a pH of 11, allowing water to pass through but preventing metallic magnesium particles 6 from passing through. However, it is preferable to use a filter element that prevents particles larger than a predetermined diameter from passing through. If the particle size that the filter element 4 can capture is large, the user will feel discomfort from residual particles when they hold the basic mouthwash in their mouth. On the other hand, if the particle size that the filter element 4 can capture is small, natural filtration by tilting the basic water adjuster 2 becomes impossible, and clogging becomes more likely. From the viewpoint of ease of clogging and discomfort from particles remaining in the basic mouthwash, a filter element with a lower limit of captureable particles of 1 μm to 100 μm is preferable. A filter element with a lower limit of captureable particles of 10 μm is most preferable as the filter element 4. Fine powders of 10 μm or larger generated in the basic mouthwash preparation process can be avoided from mixing into the basic mouthwash, and clogging of the filter element 4 is also less likely to occur. Even if the filter body 4 becomes clogged, the captured particles can be removed by backwashing.

[0024] The lid 5 has a relief valve (not shown). When metallic magnesium particles 6 react with water, H2 is generated. By dissolving H2 in water, the water can be given reducing properties. Therefore, when the metallic magnesium particles 6 react with water, it is preferable for the internal pressure of the container body 3 to rise somewhat. On the other hand, it is unsafe for the internal pressure of the container body 3 to rise excessively. Therefore, the relief valve in the lid 5 is configured to operate when the internal pressure of the container body 3 exceeds a predetermined pressure. Note that the internal pressure of the container body 3 can be adjusted by loosening the lid 5 in a timely manner when the metallic magnesium particles 6 react with water, so it is not essential to provide a relief valve in the lid 5.

[0025] The basic water preparation device 2 can be assembled and disassembled as described below from the upper part 3a of the container body, the lower part 3b of the container body, the filter body 4, the lid 5, and the metallic magnesium particles 6. Furthermore, the basic water preparation device 2 can be used as a storage container for the prepared basic water after its preparation. After the preparation of basic water, the prepared basic water may be transferred to another container. In this case, it is preferable to disassemble the basic water preparation device 2, wash the upper part 3a of the container body, the lower part 3b of the container body, the filter body 4, the lid 5, and the metallic magnesium particles 6 with water, and then dry them.

[0026] The oral irrigation device 9 comprises a mouthpiece section 10 for the user to place in their mouth along with a basic mouthwash, and a controller section 30 connected to the mouthpiece section 10 by an electrical cable (wiring) 15. A jack section 16 is provided in the middle of the electrical cable 15 to enable connection and disconnection of the two sections.

[0027] The mouthpiece portion 10 has a built-in transducer (oscillating element) 11 that vibrates the mouthpiece portion 10. Also, as shown in Figure 2, the controller portion 30 is provided with a vibration generating unit (ultrasonic transmitter) 31 that generates an electrical signal to generate ultrasonic vibrations in the transducer 11, a control circuit (control means) 33 for controlling the vibration generating unit 31, a battery (power supply unit) 35 that supplies power to drive the vibration generating unit 31 and the control circuit 33, an operation switch (operation unit) 37 operated by the user, and a display means 39 having an indicator lamp or the like.

[0028] The mouthpiece portion 10 is a flat, plate-like (thin plate-like) member with an outer shape that is roughly semi-circular and tapered at the tip (roughly heart-shaped), and its dimensions are set to fit inside the dental arch in the oral cavity. The material of the mouthpiece portion 10 can be ceramic or other porcelain, synthetic resin, or metal.

[0029] The transducer 11 is positioned at an appropriate location within the mouthpiece 10. Based on the electrical signal transmitted from the vibration generating unit 31, the transducer 11 generates ultrasonic vibrations, causing the mouthpiece 10 to vibrate.

[0030] The vibration generating unit 31 of the controller unit 30 generates an electrical signal to generate ultrasonic vibrations (hereinafter referred to as "ultrasonic vibrations") in the transducer 11 of the mouthpiece unit 10. The battery 35 supplies power to drive the vibration generating unit 31. The transducer 11 of the mouthpiece unit 10 is electrically connected to the vibration generating unit 31 of the controller unit 30 via an electrical cable 15.

[0031] The control circuit 33 controls the generation of ultrasonic vibrations by the vibration generating unit 31. The ultrasonic vibrations are controlled by inputting an ultrasonic voltage signal from the vibration generating unit 31 to the transducer 11, which is a piezoelectric element. In addition to controlling the vibration generating unit 31, the control circuit 33 also controls the entire oral irrigation device 9. The control circuit 33 may also be equipped with a timer circuit to control the ultrasonic emission time by the vibration generating unit 31. The vibration generating unit 31, the control circuit 33, and the operation switch 37 are mounted on an electrical circuit board 40. The electrical circuit board 40 is electrically connected to a battery 35 and is driven by power supplied from the battery 35. The battery 35, as the power source, can be a dry cell battery or a rechargeable battery, for example, but is not limited to these; other configurations are acceptable as long as they can provide power for the vibration generating unit 31 and the control circuit 33.

[0032] Figure 3 shows the mouthpiece portion 10, where (a) is a plan view and (b) is a cross-sectional view AA of (a). As shown in the figure, the surface 12 (upper surface 12a and lower surface 12b) of the mouthpiece portion 10 has multiple linear protrusions 13 (two in the example shown) extending along the surface 12. The linear protrusions 13 extend in a curved line shape along the inner surface 50a (see Figure 7) of the dental arch 50 in the oral cavity. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, when the mouthpiece portion 10 is placed in the mouth, the linear protrusions 13 have a side surface (a surface facing the inner surface 50a) 13a that faces the inner surface 50a of the dental arch 50. In addition, the linear protrusions 13 have a wave-like shape formed by continuously connecting multiple curved lines so as to follow the inner surface 50a of a series of teeth 51, 51.... Each curved line is dimensionally shaped to roughly follow the side surface of a single tooth 51.

[0033] Although not shown in the diagram, a linear recess may be provided instead of the linear protrusion 13 by indenting the surface 12 of the mouthpiece portion 10. The arrangement and shape of this linear recess may be the same as that of the linear protrusion 13, except that it is an indentation in the surface 12 of the mouthpiece portion 10.

[0034] In the oral irrigation device 9 with the above configuration, when the power to the device is turned on by operating the operation switch 37 (37a) of the controller unit 30, the vibration generating unit 31 drives the transducer 11, generating ultrasonic vibrations in the mouthpiece unit 10. As will be described later, by placing this mouthpiece unit 10 in the mouth together with the mouthwash, ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted throughout the oral cavity via the mouthwash, allowing for oral cleaning.

[0035] Next, a method for oral cleaning using the oral cleaning kit 1 of this embodiment will be described. Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the procedure of the oral cleaning method, Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the preparation step of basic water in the oral cleaning method, Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the oral cleaning step using the oral cleaning device 9 in the oral cleaning method, and Figure 7 is a diagram showing the state in which the mouthpiece portion 10 of the oral cleaning device 9 is placed in the mouth. As shown in Figure 4, the oral cleaning method of this embodiment includes a preparation step of basic water and an oral cleaning step using the oral cleaning device 9. The basic water prepared in the preparation step is stored in the basic water preparation device 2 and can be taken from the basic water preparation device 2 and used in the oral cleaning step.

[0036] In the basic water preparation process, prior to preparing the basic water, the basic water preparation device 2 is assembled as shown in Figures 5(a) to 5(d). First, multiple metallic magnesium particles 6 are placed into the lower part 3b of the container body which has a bottom 3e (see Figure 5(a)). Next, the filter body 4 is attached to the filter body mounting part (not shown) of the lower part 3b of the container body (see Figure 5(b)). When the connection part 3c-1 of the upper part 3a of the container body is connected by screwing to the connection part 3c-2 of the lower part 3b of the container body to which the filter body 4 is attached, the upper part 3a of the container body, the lower part 3b of the container body, and the filter body 4 are connected to each other in a liquid-tight manner. As a result, the upper part 3a and the lower part 3b of the container body become the container body 3 with the filter body 4 supported by the connection part 3c (see Figure 5(c)). In other words, the inside of the container body 3 is separated into an upper region 3-1 on the opening 3d side and a lower region 3-2 on the bottom 3e side by a filter 4 that prevents metallic magnesium particles 6 and fine powders larger than a predetermined size from passing through, but allows water to pass through. A predetermined amount of metallic magnesium particles 6 is contained in the lower region 3-2. The basic water adjuster 2 comprises the container body 3 and lid 5 assembled in this manner (see Figure 5(d)).

[0037] The total amount of multiple metallic magnesium particles 6 placed in the lower part 3b of the container body is set to an amount (less than 80% of the lower region 3-2) that allows at least a portion of the multiple metallic magnesium particles 6 to move within the lower region 3-2 when the orientation of the container body 3 is changed. For example, multiple metallic magnesium particles 6 are placed in the lower part 3b of the container body so that they occupy 1-20% of the lower region 3-2.

[0038] In the preparation of the basic mouthwash, the basic mouthwash is prepared using the basic water preparation device 2, as shown in Figures 5(e) to 5(i). First, the lid 5 attached to the opening 3d is removed, and a predetermined amount of heated water (hot water) W is poured into the container body 3 through the opening 3d (see Figure 5(e)), and the lid 5 is attached to the opening 3d to seal it tightly. Next, the sealed basic water preparation device 2 is continuously or intermittently changed in orientation to an inverted state (see Figure 5(f)), a sideways state, and an upright state (see Figure 5(g)). As the orientation of the basic water preparation device 2 is changed, the metallic magnesium particles 6 move within the lower region 3-2, causing the gaps between the particles to widen and narrow, and the particles to rub against each other. The water W can move through both the upper region 3-1 and the lower region 3-2, passing through the gaps between multiple metallic magnesium particles 6 in the lower region 3-2. In this way, multiple metallic magnesium particles 6 and water W are stirred together.

[0039] When multiple metallic magnesium particles 6 and water W are stirred as described above, the surface of the metallic magnesium particles 6 reacts with the water W, and Mg 2+ Ions and OH - Ions are generated, and the pH of the water rises. At this time, H2 is produced, and some of it dissolves in water W. Therefore, water W contains reducing Mg 2+ This results in basic water containing ions. Additionally, the friction between the metallic magnesium particles 6 causes oxides and hydroxides on the particle surfaces to peel off, thus accelerating the arrival of dissolution equilibrium.

[0040] After stirring for a predetermined time, leave it upright for a while (see Figure 5(h)). Next, remove the lid 5 attached to the opening 3d, tilt the container body 3, and the reducing Mg generated in the above steps 2+ The basic water AL containing ions is discharged from the opening 3d and collected in a cup 8 (see Figure 5(i)). The basic water AL discharged from the opening 3d includes not only the supernatant liquid in the upper region 3-1 of the container body 3, but also the lower layer liquid from the lower region 3-2. The lower layer liquid itself contains fine powder generated by the friction of metallic magnesium particles 6, but fine powder that is too large to pass through the filter 4 does not discharge from the opening 3d. The collected basic water AL can be used as is, or diluted as appropriate, as basic mouthwash L. By diluting it according to the degree of soiling and lowering the pH, it can be used more safely. To obtain the intended cleaning effect of removing plaque and decomposing bacteria that cause tooth decay, the pH should be 8.5 or higher.

[0041] In the oral rinsing process using the oral rinsing device 9, as shown in Figure 6, first, the basic mouthwash L is placed in the mouth, and then the mouthpiece portion 10 of the oral rinsing device 9 is placed in the mouth. At this time, as shown in Figure 7, the mouthpiece portion 10 is placed inside the dental arch 50 in the oral cavity and rests on the tongue 60 when placed in the mouth. With the mouthpiece portion 10 and the basic mouthwash L in the mouth in this state, the operation switch (power switch) 37a of the controller unit 30 is turned on, and an ultrasonic voltage signal from the vibration generating unit 31 is input to the oscillator element, which is a piezoelectric element. This allows the transducer 11 to cause the mouthpiece portion 10 to vibrate ultrasonically. The ultrasonic vibration of the mouthpiece portion 10 is transmitted throughout the oral cavity via the basic mouthwash L held in the mouth, removing dirt from the teeth 51 and oral cavity, and decomposing bacteria in the oral cavity.

[0042] In other words, the micro-vibrations caused by ultrasound generated by the transducer 11 act on the surface 51a of the teeth 51, the gums 52, and the boundary 53 between the teeth 51 and gums 52, etc., through the basic mouthwash L held in the mouth. This simultaneously removes dirt and plaque attached to the tooth surface 51a, etc., and decomposes (kills) the bacteria that cause tooth decay and periodontal disease present in the oral cavity.

[0043] In general, ultrasound is a wave generated by sound vibrations at high frequencies beyond the audible range, which are inaudible to the human ear. The oral cleaning process using the oral cleaning device 9 utilizes ultrasonic vibrations at frequencies exceeding the audible range. By using such ultrasonic vibrations, plaque and the dirt that causes it, which are difficult to remove with toothbrushes, can be removed very effectively. In addition, the ultrasonic vibrations propagated from the mouthpiece 10 can break the chain of bacteria (Streptococcus mutans) that cause tooth decay and are present throughout the oral cavity, thereby breaking down (killing) these bacteria.

[0044] Furthermore, in the oral irrigation device 9, as shown in Figure 7(b), the side surface 13a of the linear protrusion 13 faces the inner surface 50a of the dental arch, so that the ultrasonic vibrations of the mouthpiece 10 are directly transmitted toward the inner surface 50a of the dental arch 50. Therefore, dirt, plaque, and bacteria present on the inner surface 50a of the dental arch and its vicinity (such as the boundary 53 between the teeth 51 and gums 52) can be directly broken down and removed, making it possible to more effectively remove dirt and plaque attached to the teeth 51 and break down bacteria in the oral cavity.

[0045] Furthermore, the oral irrigation device 9 has a larger surface area due to the linear protrusions 13 formed on the surface 12 (upper surface 12a and lower surface 12b) of the mouthpiece portion 10. Therefore, the area of ​​the surface of the mouthpiece portion 10 that comes into contact with the basic mouthwash L is increased. As a result, while the external dimensions of the mouthpiece portion 10 can be reduced, the ultrasonic vibrations of the mouthpiece portion 10 can be transmitted more effectively, and dirt and plaque attached to the teeth and bacteria in the oral cavity can be decomposed more effectively. In addition to the linear protrusions 13, it is also possible to further increase the surface area of ​​the mouthpiece portion 10 by making the surface 12 of the mouthpiece portion 10 wavy or forming other irregularities on the surface 12.

[0046] Furthermore, in the oral cleaning process using the oral cleaning device 9, the mouthpiece portion 10, which is placed in the oral cavity, can be used while resting on the tongue 60. This allows the ultrasonic vibrations of the mouthpiece portion 10 to be directly transmitted to the tongue 60, effectively breaking down and removing dirt and bacteria attached to the tongue 60.

[0047] [Variations of oral irrigation kits] Modified versions of the oral irrigation kit are illustrated in Figures 8 to 13. Figures 8 to 9 illustrate the first modified version, and Figures 10 to 11 illustrate the second modified version. Parts common to the above-described embodiments in the first and second modified versions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations are omitted.

[0048] <Example 1> Figure 8 shows the appearance of an oral rinsing kit according to Modification 1 of the present invention. Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating the preparation process of a basic mouthwash in an oral rinsing method.

[0049] The oral irrigation kit 71 shown in Figure 8 comprises an upper container body 3a, a lower container body 3b, a filter 74, a lid 5, metallic magnesium particles 6, a support 77, and an oral irrigation device 9. The connection part 3c-1 of the upper container body 3a and the connection part 3c-2 of the lower container body 3b are configured to be liquid-tightly connected by screwing. When the upper container body 3a and the lower container body 3b are connected at the connection parts 3c (3c-1, 3c-2), they form the container body 3 (see Figure 9(c)). Furthermore, the upper container body 3a, the lower container body 3b, the filter 74, the lid 5, the metallic magnesium particles 6, and the support 77 can be assembled as described later to form a basic water regulator 2a (see Figure 9(d)). The basic water regulator 2a can also be disassembled.

[0050] The filter body 74 comprises a filter body main body 74a and an outer edge portion 74b having a sliding surface against the inner wall of the container body 3. The filter body main body 74a is made of the same material as the filter body 4 described above, and is designed so that metallic magnesium particles 6 and fine powders of a predetermined diameter or larger cannot pass through, but water can. The outer edge portion 74b is configured with dimensions and shape that allow it to be slidably fitted onto the inner surface of the side wall of the container body 3. A magnet is embedded in the outer edge portion 74b.

[0051] The support 77 is a ring-shaped magnet, configured with dimensions and shape that allow it to move along the outer surface of the side wall of the container body 3. Furthermore, the support 77 is magnetically attracted to the magnet on the outer edge 74b of the filter element 74, and can support the filter element 74 placed inside the container body 3 by magnetic force. Therefore, when the support 77 is moved along the outer surface of the side wall of the container body 3 by an external force (operation by a user, etc.), the filter element 74 slides along the inner surface of the side wall of the container body 3 in conjunction with the movement of the support 77.

[0052] In the basic water preparation process, prior to preparing the basic water, the basic water preparation apparatus 2a is assembled as shown in Figures 9(a) to 9(d). First, multiple metallic magnesium particles 6 are placed into the lower part 3b of the container body, which has a bottom 3e (see Figure 9(a)). Next, a filter body 74 is attached to the inner surface of the side wall of the upper part 3a of the container body, and a support body 77 is attached to the outer surface of the side wall of the upper part 3a of the container body to support the filter body 74 (see Figure 9(b)). When the connection part 3c-1 of the upper part 3a of the container body, to which the filter body 74 and the support body 77 are attached, is connected to the connection part 3c-2 of the lower part 3b of the container body by screwing, the upper part 3a and the lower part 3b of the container body are connected to each other in a liquid-tight manner (see Figure 9(c)). As a result, the upper part 3a and the lower part 3b of the container body become the container body 3 with the filter body 74 supported on the upper part 3a of the container body. In other words, the inside of the container body 3 is separated into an upper region 3-1 on the opening 3d side and a lower region 3-2 on the bottom 3e side by a filter 74 that can pass water but not metallic magnesium particles 6 or fine powder of a predetermined size or larger. Then, as shown in Figure 9(d), when the filter 74 is lowered to the vicinity of the connection part 3 by an external force acting on the support 77 (operation by the user, etc.), the metallic magnesium particles 6 in the lower part 3b of the container body are covered by the filter 74. The basic water adjuster 2a comprises the container body 3 and lid 5 assembled in this manner.

[0053] In the preparation process for the basic mouthwash, the basic mouthwash is prepared using the basic water preparation device 2a, as shown in Figures 9(e) to 9(j). First, the lid 5 attached to the opening 3d is removed, and a predetermined amount of heated water W is poured into the container body 3 through the opening 3d (see Figure 9(e)). Next, the lid 5 is attached to the opening 3d, sealing it tightly, and the filter body 74 is raised by applying an external force (operation by the user, etc.) to the support 77 (see Figure 9(f)). Next, the sealed basic water preparation device 2a is continuously or intermittently changed in orientation to an inverted state (see Figure 9(g)), a sideways state, and an upright state (see Figure 9(h)). As the orientation of the basic water preparation device 2 is changed, the metallic magnesium particles 6 move within the lower region 3-2. This movement of the metallic magnesium particles 6 causes the gaps between the particles to widen and narrow, and the particles to rub against each other. The water W can move through both the upper region 3-1 and the lower region 3-2, passing through the gaps between the multiple magnesium particles 6 in the lower region 3-2. In this way, the multiple metallic magnesium particles 6 and the water W are agitated.

[0054] After stirring for a predetermined time, as shown in Figure 9(i), the filter body 74 is lowered by applying an external force (operation by the user, etc.) to the support 77. Next, the lid 5 attached to the opening 3d is removed, the container body 3 is tilted, and the generated reducing Mg 2+ The basic water AL containing ions is discharged from the opening 3d and collected in a cup 8 (see Figure 9(j)). The basic water AL discharged from the opening 3d includes not only the supernatant liquid in the upper region 3-1 of the container body 3, but also the lower layer liquid from the lower region 3-2. The lower layer liquid itself contains fine powder generated by the friction of metallic magnesium particles 6, but fine powder that is too large to pass through the filter 74 does not discharge from the opening 3d. The collected basic water AL can be used as is, or diluted as appropriate, as basic mouthwash L. By diluting it according to the degree of soiling and lowering the pH, it can be used more safely. To obtain the intended cleaning effect of removing plaque and decomposing bacteria that cause tooth decay, the pH should be 8.5 or higher.

[0055] <Modification 2> Figure 10 shows the appearance of an oral rinsing kit according to Modification 2 of the present invention. Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating the preparation process of a basic mouthwash in an oral rinsing method.

[0056] The oral irrigation kit 81 shown in Figure 10 comprises a container body 83, a filter body 84, a lid 85, metallic magnesium particles 6, a support rod 87 (support), and an oral irrigation device 9. The container body 83, filter body 84, lid 85, metallic magnesium particles 6, and support rod 87 are assembled as described later to form a basic water regulator 2b (see Figure 11(d)). The basic water regulator 2b can also be disassembled.

[0057] The filter body 84 comprises a filter body main body 84a and a connecting portion 84b that can be connected to the connecting portion 87a of the support rod 87 by screwing. The filter body main body 84a is made of the same material as the filter body 4 described above, and is designed so that metallic magnesium particles 6 and fine powders of a predetermined diameter or larger cannot pass through, but water can pass through. The filter body main body 84a is configured with dimensions and shape that allow it to be slidably fitted to the inner surface of the side wall of the container body 3.

[0058] The lid 85 can be liquid-tightly attached to the opening 83d of the container body 83. The lid 85 also has a through-hole 85a in which a sealing material (e.g., an O-ring) 85b with a through-hole is disposed. The support rod 87 can be provided slidingly through the through-hole of the sealing material 85b. A connecting portion 87a provided at one end of the support rod 87 can be detachably connected to a connecting portion 84b of the filter body 84. A gripping portion 87b is provided at the other end of the support rod 87. That is, when the lid 85 is attached to the opening 83d of the container body 83, the filter body 84 is positioned inside the container body 83, and the gripping portion 87b is positioned outside the container body 83. Then, as the gripping portion 87 moves back and forth relative to the lid 85, the filter body 84 moves in the direction of the opening 83d or the bottom 83e of the container body 83. The filter body 84 divides the inside of the container body 83 into an upper region 3-1 on the opening 83d side and a lower region 3-2 on the bottom 83e side. The volumes of the upper region 3-1 and the lower region 3-2 vary depending on the position of the filter body 84. As shown in Figure 11(j), the filter body 84 can be lowered by an external force acting on the support 87 (operation by the user, etc.) to a position where it can cover the metallic magnesium particles 6 that have settled on the bottom 83e side of the container body 83. The basic water adjuster 2b includes a lid 85 provided by slidingly passing through a support 87 to which the filter body 84 is connected at one end, and a container body 83 containing metallic magnesium particles 6, to which the lid 85 is detachably attached (see Figure 11(d)).

[0059] In the preparation of the basic mouthwash, prior to preparing the mouthwash, the basic water preparation device 2b is assembled as shown in Figures 11(a) to 11(d). First, multiple metallic magnesium particles 6 are placed into the lower part 83b of the container body (see Figure 11(a)). Next, the support rod 87 is inserted through the sealing material 85b of the lid 85 from the connection part 87a side (see Figure 11(b)), and the inserted support rod 87 is connected to the connection part 84b of the filter body 84 by screwing it in (see Figure 11(c)). The lid 85, which is assembled in this way and has a support body 87 with the filter body 84 connected to one end slidably through it, is attached to the opening 83d of the container body 83 containing the metallic magnesium particles 6 (see Figure 11(d)).

[0060] In the preparation process of the basic mouthwash, as shown in FIGS. 11(e) to 11(j), the basic mouthwash is prepared using the basic water preparation device 2b. First, remove the lid 85 attached to the opening 83d and lift only the lid 85, and pour (input) a predetermined amount of heated water W into the container body 83 from the opening 83d (see FIG. 11(e)). Next, attach the lid 85 to the opening 83d in a liquid-tight manner (see FIG. 11(d)). Next, the filter body 84 is lifted to a state where it is raised to the opening 83d side of the container body 83 by applying an external force (operation by a user or the like) to the support body 77 (see FIG. 11(f)). Next, while maintaining the state where the filter body 84 is lifted, the basic water preparation device 2b is continuously or intermittently changed in posture so as to sequentially become an inverted state (see FIG. 11(g)), a horizontally inverted state, and a upright state (see FIG. 11(h)). By changing the posture of the basic water preparation device 2b, the metal magnesium particles 6 move within the lower region 3-2. Due to the movement of the metal magnesium particles 6, the gaps between the particles widen or contract, and the particles rub against each other. The water W can move through both the upper region 3-1 and the lower region 3-2, and in the lower region 3-2, it passes through the gaps between the plurality of magnesium particles 6. In this way, the plurality of magnesium particles 6 and the water W are stirred.

[0061] After stirring for a predetermined time, as shown in FIG. 11(i), the filter body 84 is lowered by applying an external force to the support body 77. Next, remove the lid 85 attached to the opening 83d and lift only the lid 85, tilt the container body 83, and let the generated basic water AL containing reducing Mg 2+ ions flow out from the opening 83d and divide it into the cup 8 (see FIG. 11(j)). The basic water AL flowing out from the opening 83d includes not only the supernatant liquid in the upper region 3-1 of the container body 83 but also the lower layer liquid from the lower region 3-2. The lower layer liquid itself contains fine powder generated by rubbing between pure metal magnesium particles, but fine powder having a size that cannot pass through the filter body 84 does not flow out from the opening 83d. The divided basic water AL can be used as it is or appropriately diluted as the basic mouthwash L.

[0062] In the above description of embodiments of the present invention, oral cleaning kits 1, 71, and 81, each equipped with an oral cleaning device 9, have been described. However, the oral cleaning kits of the present invention do not necessarily have to be equipped with an oral cleaning device 9. Furthermore, the oral cleaning kits of the present invention may use an oral cleaning device such as an electric toothbrush instead of the oral cleaning device 9.

[0063] [Examples of oral hygiene kits] A specific example of using the oral irrigation kit 1 will be described. The container body 3, formed by connecting the upper part 3a and the lower part 3b of the container body with connecting parts 3c (3c-1, 3c-2), has a capacity of 120 cm³. 3 That is the case.

[0064] <Preparation of basic mouthwash> As the metallic magnesium particles 6, 3g of pure metallic magnesium particles (spherical particles with a particle size of 5mm) are placed into the lower part 3b of the container body (see Figure 5(a)). Next, the filter body 4 is attached to the filter body mounting section (not shown) of the lower part 3b of the container body (see Figure 5(b)). The connection section 3c-1 of the upper part 3a of the container body is connected to the connection section 3c-2 of the lower part 3b of the container body, to which the filter body 4 is attached, in a liquid-tight manner by screwing it in. The basic water regulator 2 is assembled in this way (see Figure 5(d)).

[0065] Next, 100 ml of lukewarm water (35°C), designated as the specified amount of water W, is poured into the container body 3 through the opening 3d (see Figure 5(d)), and the lid 5 is attached to the opening 3d to seal it tightly. The pH of the lukewarm water was measured immediately before attaching the lid 5 to the opening 3d, and the pH was 7.5.

[0066] Next, the sealed basic water regulator 2 is intermittently changed position once per minute, sequentially moving from an inverted state (see Figure 5(f)), a sideways state, and an upright state (see Figure 5(g)). This change in position causes the pure metallic magnesium particles to move within the lower region 3-2 of the container body 3, while the lukewarm water moves through both the upper region 3-1 and the lower region 3-2 of the container body 3, mixing the pure metallic magnesium particles and the lukewarm water. The pH of the lukewarm water was measured 5 minutes and 10 minutes after the start of stirring, and the pH was 8.6 and 9.2, respectively.

[0067] After mixing the pure metallic magnesium particles with lukewarm water for 30 minutes, the lid 5 attached to the opening 3d was removed and the pH was measured, which was 10.3. After letting it stand upright for 5 minutes, the container body 3 was tilted, and the resulting reducing Mg 2+ The ion-containing basic water AL was drained from opening 3d and poured into cup 8. After standing for 24 hours, the pH of the water in container body 3 was 10.5.

[0068] 〇 Test to remove proteins from the tooth surface <Examples> A commercially available protein powder was dissolved in water according to its instructions to prepare protein water. This protein water was then used by test subjects who had previously brushed their teeth with a toothbrush, allowing the protein contained in the water to adhere to their teeth. Toothbrushing was continued until no staining was detected in a plaque test.

[0069] The basic water AL, divided into eight cups, was used without dilution as the basic mouthwash in this example for the test of removing proteins from the tooth surface. The testers, who had protein attached to their teeth, took 20 ml of the basic mouthwash of this example and then placed the mouthpiece portion 10 of the oral irrigation device 9 in their mouths.

[0070] With the test subject holding the mouthpiece 10 and basic mouthwash in their mouth, the operator turned on the power switch 37a of the controller unit 30, and the transducer 11 ultrasonically vibrated the mouthpiece 10 for 1 minute. After 1 minute, the test subject removed the mouthpiece 10 and basic mouthwash from their mouth and lightly rinsed with purified water. A plaque test was performed on the test subject's teeth after rinsing. The protein removal rate, calculated from the percentage of stained areas using a plaque tester, was 95.7%.

[0071] <Comparative Example 1> A protein removal test similar to that in the example was performed using purified water instead of 20 ml of the basic mouthwash. The protein removal rate was 78.2%.

[0072] <Comparative Example 2> A commercially available mouthwash was used instead of the 20 ml of basic mouthwash used in the example, and the same protein removal test as in the example was performed. The protein removal rate was 81.7%.

[0073] <Comparative Example 3> A protein removal test similar to that in the example was performed using commercially available hypochlorous acid water instead of 20 ml of the basic mouthwash solution used in the example. The protein removal rate was 82.6%.

[0074] <Comparative Example 3> A protein removal test similar to that in the example was performed using commercially available hypochlorous acid water instead of 20 ml of the basic mouthwash solution used in the example. The protein removal rate was 82.6%.

[0075] <Evaluation Results> As described above, the basic mouthwash of this example showed a significantly higher protein removal rate compared to Comparative Examples 1 to 3. Furthermore, even when the oral irrigation device 9 was not used, and the basic mouthwash was rinsed in the mouth for 1 minute before brushing teeth with a toothbrush, the protein removal rate was higher than that of Comparative Examples 1 to 3.

[0076] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims, specification, and drawings. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0077] 1,71,81 Oral Cleansing Kit 2,2a,2b Basic water preparer 3.83 Container body 3-1 Upper area 3-2 Lower area 3a Upper part of the container 3b Lower part of the container 4,74,84 Filter body 5.85 Lid 6. Metallic magnesium particles 8 cups 9. Oral irrigation device 10 Mouthpiece section 11. Oscillator 12 Surface 12a Top side 12b Bottom side 13 Convex part 13a side 15. Electrical cables (wiring) 16 Jack section 30 Controller section 31 Vibration generating section 33 Control circuit (control means) 35. Battery (power supply unit) 37(37a) Operating switch (operating unit) 39 Display means 40 Electrical circuit boards 50 teeth 50a Inner surface 51 teeth 51a surface 52 Gums 53 Boundary 60 Tongue 77,87 Support AL Basic water L Basic mouthwash W water

Claims

1. An oral rinsing kit for using a basic mouthwash to rinse the inside of the mouth, A container body having an opening and a bottom, A lid that can be attached to the opening of the container body, A plurality of metallic magnesium particles are contained within the container body, When placed inside the container body, the filter body allows water to pass through but prevents particles from passing through, thereby separating the inside of the container body into a first region on the opening side and a second region on the bottom side. Includes, The basic mouthwash is produced by stirring a predetermined amount of water with the plurality of metallic magnesium particles contained within the container body, which has the lid fitted over the opening, and includes basic water filtered by the filter body disposed within the container body. An oral cleaning kit characterized by the following features.

2. When the plurality of metallic magnesium particles and the predetermined amount of water are stirred within the container body into which the lid is fitted over the opening, at least a portion of the plurality of metallic magnesium particles are movable within the predetermined amount of water. The oral cleaning kit according to feature 1.

3. The plurality of metallic magnesium particles and the predetermined amount of water contained within the container body, with the lid fitted over the opening, are agitated by changing the orientation of the container body. The oral cleaning kit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the features described above.

4. The present invention further includes a support that is at least partially disposed on the outside of the container body and capable of supporting the filter body disposed inside the container body, The filter body supported by the support moves inside the container body in conjunction with the movement of the support outside the container body. The oral cleaning kit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the features described above.

5. The aforementioned metallic magnesium particles have an average particle size of 1.0 to 9.0 mm. The oral cleaning kit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the features described above.

6. Further including an oral irrigation device, The oral cleaning device is, The mouthpiece part, A vibrator that vibrates the mouthpiece portion, The transducer includes a vibration generating unit that generates an electrical signal for generating ultrasonic vibrations, A power supply unit that supplies power to drive the vibration generating unit, Equipped with The oral cleaning kit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the features described above.

7. A method for cleaning the inside of the mouth using the oral cleaning kit described in claim 1 or 2, The process involves placing the plurality of metallic magnesium particles into the container body, The process involves pouring the predetermined amount of heated water into the container body, The filter body is placed inside the container body, The lid is attached to the opening of the container body, The plurality of particles and the predetermined amount of water placed inside the container body are stirred while the lid is attached to the opening. Mg generated by the aforementioned stirring ２＋ The basic water is obtained by filtering ion-containing basic water through the filter and allowing it to flow out from the opening. The user takes the aforementioned basic water or diluted basic water obtained by diluting the basic water into their mouth, including A method for cleaning the inside of the mouth, characterized by the features described above.

8. A method for cleaning the inside of the mouth using the oral cleaning kit described in claim 6, The process involves placing the multiple particles into the container body, The process involves pouring the predetermined amount of heated water into the container body, The filter body is placed inside the container body, The lid is attached to the opening of the container body, The plurality of particles and the predetermined amount of water placed inside the container body are stirred while the lid is attached to the opening. Mg generated by the aforementioned stirring ２＋ The basic water is obtained by filtering ion-containing basic water through the filter and allowing it to flow out from the opening. The user places the aforementioned basic mouthwash or a diluted basic mouthwash obtained by diluting the aforementioned basic mouthwash, and the mouthpiece portion into their oral cavity. The transducer generates ultrasonic vibrations, and the ultrasonic vibrations of the mouthpiece are transmitted throughout the oral cavity via the mouthwash. including A method for cleaning the inside of the mouth, characterized by the features described above.

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