Teeth whitening and tooth strengthening method

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem of providing a tooth whitening and tooth strengthening method which is harmless to the human body and with which it is possible to remove plaques, dental calculi, coloring components on the surface of teeth, and organic protein pellicle, promote calcification on teeth, repair the surface of teeth by reconstruction of enamel, whiten teeth, and prevent caries. In this tooth whitening and tooth strengthening method, the following three stages of treatment are sequentially performed: a first-stage treatment of applying an acidic solvent having a pH of 0.5-5.0 such as citric acid, acetic acid, phosphoric acid, malic acid, or ascorbic acid to the surface of teeth; a second-stage treatment of applying hydroxyapatite dissolved in saliva or a solvent that is similar to saliva to the surface of teeth; and a third-stage treatment of applying a fluoride agent to the surface of teeth.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for whitening teeth and strengthening tooth structure, and more particularly to a method for whitening teeth and strengthening tooth structure that involves treating the tooth surface with acid, followed by a combination of tooth whitening using hydroxyapatite and tooth strengthening using fluoride. [Background technology]

[0002] Although toothpastes using hydroxyapatite and toothpastes containing high concentrations of fluoride have been reported, no method has been reported for whitening and strengthening teeth that effectively strengthens the tooth surface components, repairs and mineralizes the tooth surface, and increases the whiteness and strength of the tooth surface by applying an acid solvent to the tooth surface as a pretreatment under specific conditions, using hydroxyapatite, and then applying fluoride to the tooth surface as a posttreatment.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a tooth whitening method, and describes that the whitening agent used therein contains fluoride. However, while tooth whitening agents containing fluoride are effective for coating teeth, there are concerns about their harmful effects on the human body when absorbed through soft tissues into the mucous membranes, and other factors that make them unsuitable for actively cleaning and rinsing the teeth using toothpaste or rinses.

[0004] Non-Patent Document 1 is a document that provides the background of the whitening agent used in the present invention, and describes the properties of hydroxyapatite, the effects of saliva, etc. However, this document does not describe the whitening agent used in the present invention. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2015-221814 [Non-patent literature]

[0006] [Non-Patent Document 1] Hydroxyapataito as a Medical Savior, Doctor of Engineering, Hideki Aoki, Kien Tosho, March 6, 2019 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Conventional tooth whitening methods include those using hydrogen peroxide and urea peroxide. However, with these methods, H2O2 binds with the enamel on the surface of the teeth, breaking down into water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2), causing bleaching on the tooth surface. However, this also demineralizes and dehydrates the tooth surface, weakening the tooth structure. This has been problematic.

[0008] Furthermore, toothpastes with a pH adjusted to be slightly alkaline are now the norm. While this is highly effective at removing plaque and tartar that are difficult to remove with alkaline solutions, it leaves behind plaque and tartar that require acidity. Traditional toothpastes often contain abrasives or are weakly acidic or alkaline, and even acidic toothpastes with a pH of 4 or higher have difficulty removing stubborn plaque and tartar. Furthermore, the surface of teeth is coated with a thin organic film called the "pellicle," which traps coloring components made of protein and causes teeth to yellow. Therefore, the effectiveness of tooth whitening using hydrogen peroxide or urea peroxide is hindered by the stubborn plaque, tartar, and "pellicle."

[0009] Furthermore, conventional toothpastes and mouthwashes containing hydroxyapatite crystals dissolve the apatite crystals in an aqueous solution, which results in a low dissociation rate of the apatite crystal structure and makes it impossible to enhance the remineralization effect on the tooth surface. Furthermore, stubborn plaque and tartar that cannot be completely removed by conventional tooth cleaning, as well as a thin organic coating called "pellicle," inhibit the binding of apatite to the tooth surface.

[0010] Another traditional method for strengthening teeth was the application of fluoride to the teeth. Tooth enamel is composed of 97% hydroxyapatite, 2% organic matter, and 1% water. The hydroxyapatite crystals are at various stages of maturity, resulting in a wide variety of lattice defects. When fluoride is applied to hydroxyapatite, the hydroxyapatite changes composition to fluoroapatite. This fluoroapatite shrinks in its morphology and strengthens its crystalline structure, improving its acid resistance. This effect, which makes teeth less susceptible to acid exposure from caries-causing bacteria, was used as a method for strengthening teeth. However, in recent years, the negative effects of fluoride have been revealed, including a decrease in IQ due to regular use, the induction of autism, and the potential for a variety of harmful systemic symptoms, such as atopic dermatitis.

[0011] Furthermore, conventional "surface fluoride applications" involve applying fluoride directly to the tooth surface. However, the surface of teeth is coated with a thin organic film called a "pellicle," which traps discoloring protein components and causes yellowing. Therefore, it is necessary to remove the discoloring components and pellicle, repair and remineralize the tooth structure, and then allow the tooth strengthening effect to work without triggering harmful symptoms throughout the body. To achieve this, fluoride toothpaste and mouthwashes are not used, as they are absorbed through the oral mucosa. Instead, fluoride is applied only to the tooth surface and wiped off without coming into contact with the mucosa. Furthermore, food particles from daily meals and incomplete brushing of teeth create multiple layers of dirt on the surface of the teeth. People then apply fluoride mouthwash or topical fluoride on top of this, but this reduces the effectiveness of the fluoride's effects.

[0012] In view of the above situation, the present invention provides a method for teeth whitening and tooth strengthening that divides the chemical reaction on the tooth surface into a three-stage time series and carries out the reactions in a single sequence, thereby achieving a synergistic effect compared to performing each of the following actions on the tooth surface enamel: whitening to remove stains, tooth surface restoration, remineralization, and tooth strengthening individually. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] In other words, the tooth whitening and tooth strengthening method of the present invention involves a first step in which an acidic solvent such as citric acid, acetic acid, phosphoric acid, malic acid, or ascorbic acid with a pH of 0.5 to 5.0 is applied to the tooth surface to remove plaque, tartar, staining components, and pellicle from the tooth surface; a second step in which hydroxyapatite dissolved in saliva or a solvent similar to saliva is applied to the tooth surface; and a third step in which a fluoride agent is applied to the tooth surface. By performing these three steps in sequence, it is possible to remove stains and organic protein pellicle from the tooth surface, more effectively mineralize the components on the tooth surface, repair and mineralize the tooth surface, increase the whiteness of the teeth, improve the acid resistance of the tooth structure, and increase the strength of the tooth surface.

[0014] That is, the present invention resides in the following (1) to (3). (1) Remove the staining components and pellicle from the tooth surface using an acidic solution of citric acid, acetic acid, phosphoric acid, malic acid, and ascorbic acid at pH 0.5 to 5.0. (2) Hydroxyapatite particles with a particle size of 4 nm to 1.7 mm, which are a combination of calcium, calcium phosphate, and hydroxide ions, are dissolved in saliva or a solvent similar to saliva and applied to the tooth surface, where they effectively bond with the enamel apatite that makes up the tooth surface, promoting remineralization. (3) By applying fluoride to calcium phosphate (apatite), a component of the tooth surface, and bonding it, calcium fluorophosphate (fluoroapatite) is formed, which causes the enamel apatite crystals on the tooth surface to shrink, thereby increasing acid resistance and strengthening the tooth structure.

[0015] This invention uses citric acid, hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, malic acid, and ascorbic acid at pH 0.5 to 5.0 to bleach and clean the tooth surface and remove the thin organic film called "pellicle." In addition, the solvent is not an aqueous solution, but nano-sized hydroxyapatite powder is dissolved in saliva or a solvent (solution) with components similar to saliva, thereby forming apatite crystal Ca. 10 It promotes the dissociation of the (PO4)6(OH)2 crystal structure.

[0016] Apatite crystal Ca is dissolved in saliva or a solution with similar components to saliva and applied to the tooth surface as a solvent with a high dissociation rate. 10 The solvent, which promotes the dissociation of the crystalline structure of (PO4)6(OH)2, efficiently bonds with the enamel (calcium phosphate) on the tooth surface, thereby strengthening the tooth by creating a remineralization phenomenon and thickening the enamel (calcium phosphate) without damaging the tooth structure, and also has the effect of repairing unevenness on the tooth surface and making it smooth, while also having a teeth whitening effect. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] In this invention, the tooth whitening and tooth strengthening method involves applying an acidic solvent such as citric acid, acetic acid, phosphoric acid, malic acid, or ascorbic acid with a pH of 0.5 to 5.0 to the tooth surface as a pretreatment to remove discolored components and the pellicle, then using hydroxyapatite dissolved in saliva or a solvent similar to saliva to more effectively mineralize the components on the tooth surface, repairing the tooth surface and strengthening the tooth structure. Finally, a fluoride agent is applied to the tooth surface to increase the whiteness of the teeth, the acid resistance of the tooth structure, and the strength of the tooth surface. By performing these three steps in this order, the enamel on the tooth surface is strengthened by the crystallization of hydroxyapatite, and the fluoride bonds in the enamel strengthen the bonding of the crystalline structure, making it possible to whiten the teeth to a higher degree than before, repair and remineralize the enamel apatite crystals, and strengthen the tooth structure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the effect of applying citric acid at pH 2.5 to the tooth surface. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the effect of applying hydroxyapatite particles of 4 nm to 1.7 mm dissolved in saliva or a solvent similar to saliva to the tooth surface. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the effect of applying 9,000 ppm of sodium fluoride to the tooth surface. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The tooth whitening and tooth strengthening method of the present invention will be described below, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

[0020] In this invention, the tooth whitening and tooth strengthening method involves three steps (in this order): the first step is to apply an acidic solvent (e.g., citric acid, acetic acid, phosphoric acid, malic acid, or ascorbic acid) at a pH of 0.5 to 5.0 to the tooth surface to remove discolored components and the pellicle; the second step is to use hydroxyapatite dissolved in saliva or a solvent similar to saliva to more effectively mineralize the tooth surface components, thereby restoring the tooth surface and strengthening the tooth structure; and the third step is to apply a fluoride agent to the tooth surface to increase the whiteness of the teeth, improve the acid resistance of the tooth structure, and increase the strength of the tooth surface. This strengthens the tooth surface enamel through the crystallization of hydroxyapatite, and the fluorine bonds in the enamel strengthen the bonding of the crystalline structure, enabling whiter whitening than ever before, as well as the restoration and remineralization of enamel apatite crystals and tooth strengthening.

[0021] [acid] The acid (acidic solvent) used in the tooth whitening and tooth strengthening method of the present invention is not particularly limited, as long as it is not harmful when used in the human oral cavity. The acid used in the tooth whitening and tooth strengthening method of the present invention is citric acid, hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, malic acid, or ascorbic acid having a pH of 0.5 to 5.0.

[0022] [Hydroxyapatite particles] The tooth whitening and tooth strengthening method of the present invention uses a solvent in which hydroxyapatite having a smaller particle size than usual, with an average particle size of 4 nm to a maximum particle size of 1.7 mm, is dissolved in saliva or a solvent similar to saliva.

[0023] [Fluorine] The fluoride used in the tooth whitening and tooth strengthening method of the present invention is 500 ppm to 100,000 ppm of sodium fluoride, calcium fluoride, or stannous fluoride. [Example]

[0024] Figure 1 shows an example of the removal of plaque, tartar, and pellicle using citric acid at pH 2.5. Figure (a) shows the condition of the tooth surface before applying citric acid at pH 2.5, and Figure (b) is a photograph showing the condition of the tooth surface 5 minutes after applying citric acid at pH 2.5. As shown in the figure, applying citric acid at pH 2.5 to the tooth surface completely removes plaque, tartar, and pellicle that had adhered to the tooth surface.

[0025] Figure 2 shows that applying 4 nm to 1.7 mm hydroxyapatite particles dissolved in saliva or a saliva-like solvent to a tooth surface bonds with the apatite that makes up the tooth surface, resulting in tooth surface repair and apatite reconstruction. Figure 2(a) is a photograph showing the condition of the tooth surface before control (before application), and Figure 2(b) is a photograph showing the condition of the tooth surface 5 minutes after applying 100 nm hydroxyapatite particles to the rough surface of artificial enamel. As shown in the figure, it is clear that the particles bond with the apatite that makes up the tooth surface, resulting in tooth surface repair and apatite reconstruction.

[0026] Figure 3 shows the strengthening of tooth structure due to enamel shrinkage caused by the application of 9,000 ppm sodium fluoride to the tooth surface. Figure 3(a) is a photograph showing the condition of the tooth surface before application, and Figure 3(b) is a photograph showing the condition of the tooth surface one minute after application of 9,000 ppm sodium fluoride. As shown in the figure, the application of sodium fluoride causes the contraction of apatite crystals on the tooth surface. (Before application) 8.17 atto (1 / 10 ... [Industrial Applicability]

[0027] The tooth whitening and tooth strengthening method of the present invention can provide a tooth strengthening method including aesthetic tooth whitening. Therefore, the present invention can be used not only for medical purposes but also as a tooth whitening and tooth strengthening method for cosmetic purposes in whitening salons, dental offices, and the like that are not medical institutions.

Claims

1. A method for whitening teeth and strengthening teeth, characterized in that the following three steps are carried out in this order: In the first step, an acidic solution having a pH of 0.5 to 5.0 and containing citric acid, which has been prepared before the treatment, is applied to the tooth surface to remove coloring components and pellicles from the tooth surface. In the second stage of treatment, a hydroxyapatite solution prepared before the treatment by dissolving hydroxyapatite in human saliva or a solvent similar to saliva is applied to the tooth surface from which the coloring components and pellicle have been removed in the first stage of treatment, thereby more effectively calcifying the components on the tooth surface, repairing the tooth surface and strengthening the tooth structure. In the third stage treatment, a fluoride agent is applied to the tooth surface that has been calcified by the second stage treatment, thereby increasing the whiteness of the teeth, the acid resistance of the tooth substance, and the strength of the tooth surface.

2. A method for whitening teeth and strengthening teeth as described in claim 1, characterized in that the acidic solvent is an acidic solvent further containing at least one of acetic acid, phosphoric acid, malic acid, and ascorbic acid.

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