Oral appliance cleaner

Abstract

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

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Dentures and other oral appliances are prone to the accumulation of bacteria, biofilms, and other deposits, and if left uncleaned, this can not only cause bad breath but can also contribute to the development of oral diseases such as periodontal disease. Therefore, cleaning oral appliances and keeping them clean is essential as part of oral care. Because bacteria and dirt adhering to oral appliances cannot be sufficiently removed by brushing, cleaning with a detergent is important.

[0003] Cleaning of intraoral appliances with a detergent is generally performed by adding the detergent to water to prepare cleaning water, and then immersing the intraoral appliances in the water. Conventionally, intraoral appliance cleaners have been formulated with surfactants and foaming agents (carbonate compounds and acids), and are designed to enhance cleaning effectiveness by exerting chemical cleaning power through surface activation and physical cleaning power through foaming when added to water. However, biofilms and other substances adhering to intraoral appliances cannot be sufficiently removed by the action of surfactants and foaming agents, and therefore remain on the intraoral appliances even after cleaning with an intraoral appliance cleaner, causing slime (a substance that feels slimy to the touch).

[0004] Conventionally, an intraoral appliance cleanser containing a bleaching agent has been used to remove biofilms adhering to intraoral appliances.

[0005] It is also known that adding 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 cleanser liquid composition containing (A) a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether having an average number 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 disinfectant, exhibits excellent removal and disinfecting 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] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-179615 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, even oral instrument cleansers containing bleach or enzymes are not effective in removing biofilms, and have not been able to fully remove slime from oral instruments caused by biofilms, etc. Thus, oral instrument cleansers containing bleach or enzymes have limitations in their effectiveness in removing slime from oral instruments. Furthermore, from the perspective of expanding the variety of oral instrument cleansers, there has been a demand for the development of new formulation technologies that can easily remove slime from oral instruments.

[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an intraoral appliance cleanser that can easily remove slime from intraoral appliances. [Means for solving the problem]

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

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

[0011] The intraoral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure contains a combination of at least one selected from the group consisting of isopropylmethylphenol and its structural isomers, and menthol, thereby making it possible to easily peel off and remove slime from intraoral instruments. Cleaning intraoral instruments with the intraoral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure can reduce discomfort caused by slime on the intraoral instruments when manually reinserting the cleaned intraoral instruments and after reinserting them into the oral cavity. Furthermore, because the intraoral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure can easily remove slime from intraoral instruments, it has the advantage of being able to expand the variety of intraoral instrument cleansers that have the effect of removing slime from intraoral instruments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

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

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

[0015] [(A) Isopropylmethylphenol and its structural isomers] The intraoral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure contains, as component (A), at least one selected from the group consisting of isopropylmethylphenol and its structural isomers. In the intraoral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure, component (A) is a component that, when combined with component (B), easily removes (facilitates) slime from intraoral instruments. Furthermore, by incorporating component (A) into the intraoral instrument cleanser, antibacterial and bactericidal effects can be imparted to the intraoral instrument cleanser. As used herein, "isopropylmethylphenol" refers to "4-isopropyl-3-methylphenol." Structural isomers of isopropylmethylphenol are not particularly limited as long as they are pharmaceutically acceptable, but examples include thymol and carvacrol. From the viewpoint of easily and effectively removing slime from intraoral instruments, thymol is preferred.

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

[0017] [(B) Menthol] The intraoral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure contains menthol as component (B). In the intraoral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure, component (B) is a component that, when combined with component (A), easily removes (makes removal easier) slime from intraoral instruments. Furthermore, by including menthol in the intraoral instrument cleanser, a refreshing feeling can be imparted to the wearer's mouth when wearing the cleaned intraoral instrument, allowing the wearer to experience the cleaning effect.

[0018] As menthol, any of d-, l-, and dl-isomers may be used, but l-menthol is preferred from the viewpoint of easily and effectively removing slime from intraoral appliances.Menthol can also be used in the form of essential oil.The essential oil containing menthol is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include spearmint oil, peppermint oil, peppermint oil, and peppermint white oil.The menthol and essential oils exemplified above may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

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

[0020] In the intraoral 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 intraoral instruments, the content is preferably 50 to 500 parts by weight, more preferably 70 to 300 parts by weight, and even more preferably 80 to 200 parts by weight.

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

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

[0023] The type of foaming agent is not particularly limited as long as it is non-toxic and physiologically acceptable, and a wide range of foaming agents commonly used in oral instrument cleansers (i.e., those capable of generating carbon dioxide in water) can be used.

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

[0025] The carbonate compound constituting the effervescent agent is preferably an alkali metal bicarbonate or an alkali metal carbonate, more preferably sodium bicarbonate or sodium carbonate, and the acid constituting the effervescent agent is preferably an organic acid, more preferably citric acid or malic acid.

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

[0027] When the intraoral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure contains a foaming agent, the content of the foaming agent (total amount of carbonate compound and acid) is not particularly limited as long as it can generate sufficient carbon dioxide bubbles when cleaning intraoral instruments, but can be, for example, 10 to 75 wt %, preferably 20 to 70 wt %, and more preferably 30 to 65 wt %.

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

[0029] The type of bleaching agent 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 a wide range of bleaching agents commonly used in intraoral instrument cleansers can be used.

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

[0031] Specific examples of monopersulfates include alkali metal salts of monopersulfate such as sodium monopersulfate and potassium monopersulfate (e.g., bis(peroxymonosulfate)-bis(sulfate)-pentapotassium), ammonium monopersulfate, and hydrates thereof. Specific examples of perborates include alkali metal salts of perboric acid such as sodium perborate and potassium perborate, ammonium perborate, and hydrates thereof. Specific examples of percarbonates include alkali metal salts of percarbonate such as sodium percarbonate and potassium percarbonate, ammonium percarbonate, and hydrates thereof. Specific examples of persulfates 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 monopersulfate, perborate, and percarbonate, more preferred are alkali metal monopersulfate, alkali metal perborate, and alkali metal percarbonate, and even more preferred are potassium monopersulfate, sodium perborate, and sodium percarbonate.

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

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

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

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

[0036] Other additives that can be incorporated into the intraoral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure include, for example, base materials (sodium sulfate, etc.), surfactants, binders, lubricants, flavors (other than menthol), flavor impregnating agents, enzymes (proteases, etc.), colorants, magnesium oxide, deodorants, anti-tartar agents, anti-rust agents, 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), antiseptics, bulking agents, excipients, disintegrants, and fluidizing agents. The other components listed above may be incorporated alone or in any combination of two or more.

[0037] 2. Formulation of oral instrument cleanser The intraoral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure is solid, specifically, molded into powder, granules, or tablets, preferably molded into granules or tablets, and most preferably molded into tablets. When molded into tablets, the weight per tablet is not particularly limited and may be appropriately determined 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 is 1 to 4 g, preferably 2 to 3 g.

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

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

[0040] 4. How to use the oral appliance cleaner When the intraoral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure is added to water, heated if necessary, and the intraoral instrument (preferably a denture) to be cleaned is placed in the water, the intraoral instrument cleanser of the present disclosure dissolves and cleans the intraoral instrument. Furthermore, since the intraoral instrument cleanser 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 manually reinserting the intraoral instrument after cleaning.

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

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

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

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

[0045] Furthermore, while cleaning the intraoral appliances, it is not necessary to agitate the water to which the intraoral appliance cleanser has been added, but the water may be stirred as needed to more effectively remove slime from the intraoral appliances. Furthermore, the intraoral appliances may be scrubbed with a cleaning tool such as a brush to more effectively remove slime from the intraoral appliances. [Example]

[0046] The invention of the present disclosure will be explained in more detail below by showing examples, but the present disclosure is not limited to these examples.

[0047] Test Example Tablet-shaped cleansers for oral instruments were prepared with the composition shown in Table 1. Specifically, a composition prepared by mixing the components shown in Table 1 was tableted at 40 MPa using a 20mm diameter mold and a tableting machine (SMP-3012SK, small electric hydraulic pump, manufactured by Rikenkiki Co., Ltd.) to prepare tablet-shaped cleansers for oral instruments weighing 2 g each.

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

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

[0050] Resin chips (20 mm x 20 mm, 1.5 mm thick, one-sided polished; made of polymethyl methacrylate resin) were sterilized by immersion in 100 ml of 200 ppm hypochlorous acid solution for 10 minutes and then thoroughly rinsing 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. 50 μl of the bacterial suspension was then added, and the chips were cultured at 37°C for 24 hours to produce resin chips with attached biofilms.

[0051] After incubation, the culture medium was removed from each well, 6 ml of distilled water was added to each well, and the wells were pipetted 10 times before the water was removed. This procedure was repeated 2-3 times until the distilled water added to each well became clear, and resin chips with attached biofilms were obtained.

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

[0053] (3) Evaluation of slime removal from resin chips after cleaning Five evaluators washed their index fingers with ethanol. Then, they gently rubbed the surface of the resin chip with the biofilm attached before cleaning in a circular motion with their index fingers. Based on the evaluation criteria shown in the diagram below, the ease of removal of the slime was evaluated using a 9-point scale with increments of 1, with "1" representing "no slime" and "9" representing "does not come off no matter how many times it is rubbed." All five evaluators gave a score of 9. Next, the ease of removal of the biofilm on the resin chip (reference sample) cleaned with the intraoral instrument cleaner prepared in Reference Example 1 was evaluated in the same manner as above, and the average of the five evaluations (average of the reference sample) was calculated. Thereafter, the ease of removal of the biofilm on the resin chip (evaluation sample) cleaned with each of the intraoral instrument cleaners prepared in Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 to 9 was evaluated in the same manner as above, and the average of the five evaluations (average of the evaluation sample) was calculated. JPEG0007762694000001.jpg25156

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

[0055] [Table 1]

[0056] The results in Table 1 confirm that the oral instrument cleaners prepared in Examples 1 to 4, which contain both isopropylmethylphenol or thymol and l-menthol, have higher slime removal improvement scores than the oral instrument cleaners prepared in Comparative Examples 1 to 9, which contain isopropylmethylphenol, thymol, or l-menthol alone, and can remove slime more easily.

[0057] 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, even for mouthpiece and retainer materials, the intraoral instrument cleansers prepared in Examples 1 to 4 had higher slime removal improvement scores than the intraoral instrument cleansers prepared in Comparative Examples 1 to 9, confirming that slime can be removed more easily.

[0058] Prescription example Tablet-shaped intraoral instrument cleaners having the compositions shown in Table 2 were prepared and subjected to the slime removal test. The results are shown in Table 2. The results in Table 2 demonstrate that the intraoral instrument cleaners prepared in Formulation Examples 1 to 12, which contain both isopropylmethylphenol or thymol and l-menthol, had higher slime removal improvement scores than the intraoral instrument cleaner prepared in Reference Example 2, which contained none of isopropylmethylphenol, thymol, or l-menthol, and therefore were able to remove slime more easily.

[0059] Table 2

Claims

1. An oral appliance cleanser comprising (A) isopropylmethylphenol and (B) menthol.

2. The intraoral instrument cleanser according to claim 1, which is a denture cleanser.

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