Tongue spatula for removing tongue coating and assisting oral function training

Abstract

We provide a tool that combines tongue coating removal and oral function training to prevent and improve oral dysfunction. [Solution] A tongue spatula is constructed by integrating a curved spatula section for removing tongue coating, a rod-shaped section that assists in adjusting the position of the corners of the mouth and the tip of the tongue, and a bifurcated section that pushes up the base of the tongue. Depending on how it is used, it can have effects such as maintaining and improving oral function, preventing bad breath, improving swallowing, and activating facial muscles.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to oral care products, and more particularly to a tongue spatula for simultaneously removing tongue coating and training oral function. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional tongue brushes and spatulas are specialized for removing tongue coating, but are not adequately designed to maintain the function of the tongue muscles and lips. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a device for removing tongue coating, but does not disclose the function of maintaining the function of the tongue muscles and lips. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-151613 A (tongue coating removal brush) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, decline in oral function has been attracting attention as a risk factor for shortening healthy life expectancy and systemic diseases, and the following issues have been pointed out: (1) Bad breath and decreased taste due to accumulation of tongue coating Tongue coating is one of the main causes of bad breath, and reduces taste sensitivity by covering the taste buds. Proper tongue care is necessary, but existing tongue brushes and spatulas tend to apply excessive pressure, which can damage the taste buds. Furthermore, the tongue coating removal brush disclosed in [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-151613 uses nonwoven fabric for the removal surface, which makes tongue coating prone to adhere to the surface and makes cleaning after use complicated, which poses hygiene management issues. The poor cleanability after use is a factor that causes hygiene concerns when used continuously. (2) Dysphagia and difficulty speaking due to weakness of the tongue muscles and base of the tongue Weakened tongue muscles can impair swallowing and pronunciation, increasing the risk of aspiration pneumonia and communication disorders. A weakened tongue base in particular can cause sleep apnea and a double chin. (3) Destabilization of oral function due to a lowered tongue (hypoglossus) When the tongue is not in its normal position and is lowered (hypoglossal tongue), it can cause malocclusion of the teeth and problems with chewing and swallowing.In addition, the tongue often interferes with instruments during dental treatment, hindering treatment. (4) Weakened facial muscles due to muscle weakness in the corners of the mouth and lips Symptoms such as not being able to lift the corners of the mouth or close the lips properly not only give the impression of a lack of expression and an older face, but also lead to a decline in chewing and swallowing function.

[0005] In order to solve these problems, this invention aims to provide a tool that combines tongue coating removal and oral function training, thereby contributing to the prevention and improvement of oral dysfunction, as well as the establishment of oral health habits and the promotion of overall health. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This invention is a tongue spatula that integrates the following three components: (1) Spatula: It has a curved shape that follows the back of the tongue, and by using it to scrape up tongue coating that has been moistened with gel or the like from the back to the front, it can gently remove tongue coating while minimizing the strain on the taste buds. (2) Rod-shaped part: There are two depressions for aligning the upper teeth, and a depression in the center for resting the tip of the tongue, allowing for training to improve the tongue and facial muscles by holding the corners of the mouth up for a certain period of time. The holding time varies depending on the state of the user's oral function, starting with a short period at first and gradually increasing with continued use. (3) Bifurcated part: It has a structure that pushes up the base of the tongue from the back, guiding the tongue to its proper position and strengthening the muscles at the base of the tongue, which improves speech and swallowing function and also contributes to the prevention of sleep apnea syndrome. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] This device provides the following multiple oral function improvement effects: - Prevents bad breath and improves taste by removing tongue coating -Improvement of swallowing function and fluency of speech by strengthening the tongue muscles and base of the tongue -Improvement of low-lying tongue by guiding the tongue to a fixed position - Activation of facial muscles lifts the corners of the mouth and creates aesthetic effects - Support for the prevention of sleep apnea syndrome - Maintaining and improving oral function to promote overall health Furthermore, by exercising continuously every day using the device, it is expected that these effects will be obtained more stably and sustainably. [Brief explanation of the drawings] [Figure 1] This is a front view of the tongue spatula of the present invention, showing the overall shape and the arrangement of each part, such as the spatula part (within the dotted line frame marked with symbol 1), the rod-shaped part (within the dotted line frame marked with symbol 2), the forked part (within the dotted line frame marked with symbol 3), the recess for aligning teeth (with symbol 4), and the central recess that helps guide the tip of the tongue to its designated position (with symbol 5). [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention, showing the curved shape and thickness structure. [Figure 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view (AA in FIG. 1) of the present invention, showing the depth and shape of the central depression (reference numeral 5) that helps guide the tip of the tongue into a fixed position. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view (BB in FIG. 1) of the present invention, showing the cross-sectional structure of the tooth alignment recess (reference numeral 4) in the width direction. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view (EE in Figure 2) of the present invention, showing the cross-sectional shape in the width direction of the central depression, including the rounded (R1.5) structure of the contact surface with the tip of the tongue. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention, showing the overall structure and three-dimensional arrangement of each part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] The tongue spatula of this invention has a structure that combines tongue coating removal and oral function training, and has a long, thin rod-like shape as a whole, as shown in Figure 1. It is composed of a spatula portion (reference number 1), a rod-like portion (reference number 2), and a bifurcated portion (reference number 3) that are connected together.

[0010] The spatula (symbol 1) shown in Figure 1 has a curved shape that fits along the dorsum of the tongue and is used to scrape tongue coating from the back to the front. When using it, after moistening the dorsum of the tongue with gel or the like, lightly touch the spatula to the tongue and perform the removal action, which allows tongue coating to be removed while minimizing the strain on the taste buds.

[0011] The rod-shaped portion (symbol 2) shown in Figure 1 has a central depression (symbol 5) in the center that helps guide the tip of the tongue into a fixed position, and depressions (symbol 4) for aligning the maxillary teeth are formed on both sides. The user stands upright and corrects their posture, lightly placing their teeth against the depressions to guide the tip of the tongue into a fixed position while maintaining the corners of the mouth up. The AA cross section shown in Figure 3 and the EE cross section shown in Figure 5 clearly show the depth and shape of the central depression, confirming that it is a structure that helps to stably hold the tip of the tongue. Furthermore, the BB cross section shown in Figure 4 clearly shows the widthwise shape of the tooth alignment depression (symbol 4), demonstrating that it is a structure that allows for stable alignment with the maxillary teeth.

[0012] The forked portion (reference numeral 3) shown in Figure 1 has a structure that pushes up the base of the tongue from the back of the tongue, contributing to strengthening the tongue muscles and improving swallowing function. When using it, insert the forked portion under the back of the tongue, gently push up the tongue while stretching it straight, and hold it for a certain period of time to achieve the training effect.

[0013] The perspective view shown in Figure 6 allows one to understand the overall structure of this device and the three-dimensional arrangement of each part. Each part is constructed using a one-piece molded or joined structure. Materials used can be selected appropriately, taking into consideration safety and comfort in the oral cavity, from resin, wood, bamboo, silicone, and other materials. However, this device does not limit the materials used as long as they ensure safety and comfort in the oral cavity. [Explanation of symbols] 1: Spatula (curved part for removing tongue coating) 2: Rod-shaped part (for training corners of the mouth and tip of the tongue) 3: Forked part (tongue root pushing up part) 4: Tooth alignment recess (upper canine or premolar) 5: Central depression that helps guide the tip of the tongue into its proper position

Claims

[Claim 1] A tongue spatula for supporting oral function training that integrates a spatula portion for removing tongue coating, a rod-shaped portion that assists in adjusting the position of the corners of the mouth and the tip of the tongue, and a forked portion for pushing up the root of the tongue, wherein the spatula portion has a curved shape that follows the dorsum of the tongue, the rod-shaped portion has a recess for aligning the upper jaw teeth and a central recess that assists in guiding the tip of the tongue to its fixed position, and the forked portion has a structure that pushes up the root of the tongue from the back of the tongue.

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