JP6578131B2 - Intraoral cleaning apparatus and intraoral cleaning method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an oral cleaning apparatus used for decomposing or removing plaque adhered to teeth, dirt, bacteria, etc. present in the oral cavity, and an oral cleaning method performed using the apparatus.

  Conventionally, removal of dirt and plaque (plaque) adhering to teeth using a toothbrush has been widely performed. However, when brushing teeth with a toothbrush, depending on how to brush, there is a case where a brushed residue is left or a gum is damaged. In addition, brushing teeth requires considerable effort and time because it is necessary to perform brushing while moving the toothbrush in small increments according to the tooth groove and the gap between the teeth and gums.

  Therefore, in recent years, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1, electric toothbrushes and sonic toothbrushes that utilize the rotational motion and high-speed vibration of motors have become widespread. In such an electric toothbrush and a sonic toothbrush, it is possible to reduce the amount of brushing left like a normal toothbrush and to reduce the labor required for brushing.

  In addition, as a means for removing (sterilizing) bacteria (mutans bacteria) present in the oral cavity that cause dental caries and periodontal disease, conventionally, a mouth washing liquid (mouth washing liquid) used in the mouth is used. It is used. However, it is not possible to sufficiently remove plaque and dirt adhering to the teeth simply by scouring the oral cavity with this type of mouth washing liquid. Therefore, even when using a mouth rinse, brushing with a toothbrush is required separately.

JP 2010-115439 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and its purpose is to remove dirt and plaque adhering to the teeth and to caries and periodontium present in the oral cavity with only a short and very simple operation. An object of the present invention is to provide a mouth washing apparatus capable of effectively performing both the decomposition (disinfection) of disease-causing bacteria and a method for cleaning the mouth using the mouth washing apparatus.

  In order to solve the above problems, an intraoral cleaning device according to the present invention includes a mouthpiece part (10) for a user to include in a mouth together with a liquid (L), and a vibrator (10) that vibrates the mouthpiece part (10). 11), a vibration generating unit (31) for generating an electrical signal for generating ultrasonic vibration in the vibrator (11), a control means (33) for controlling the vibration generating unit (31), and vibration A power supply unit (35) for supplying power for driving the generator (31) and the control means (35), and an operation unit (37) operated by the user, the mouthpiece (10) The ultrasonic vibration is propagated throughout the oral cavity through the liquid (L), so that the oral cavity is cleaned.

  According to the intraoral cleaning apparatus according to the present invention, ultrasonic vibration is generated in the mouthpiece part when the vibration generating part drives the vibrator. When the user includes the mouthpiece part in the mouth together with the liquid, the ultrasonic vibration propagates throughout the oral cavity through the liquid, so that the oral cavity can be cleaned. As a result, ultrasonic vibration spreads to every corner of the oral cavity, effectively removing not only dirt and plaque adhering to the tooth surface but also dirt accumulated in the tooth groove and teeth and gums. And can effectively decompose bacteria present in the oral cavity. In particular, bacteria such as cavities and periodontal disease causative bacteria (mutans bacteria) are broken down by the ultrasonic vibration that propagates through the liquid in the oral cavity. It is very effective for removal (sterilization) of water. By these operations, both the removal of dirt and plaque adhering to the teeth and the decomposition (sterilization) of bacteria in the oral cavity can be performed with only a very simple operation of including the mouthpiece part in the mouth together with the liquid and starting the device. Can be carried out effectively.

  Moreover, in said intraoral cleaning apparatus, the surface (12) of a mouthpiece part (10) has one or several linear convex part (13) or recessed part extended | stretched along this surface (12). It is good to be formed.

  According to this structure, the surface area of a mouthpiece part can be enlarged by the linear convex part or recessed part formed in the surface of the mouthpiece part. Therefore, the area where the surface of the mouthpiece part contacts the liquid is increased. This makes it possible to more effectively propagate the ultrasonic vibration of the mouthpiece part while reducing the external dimensions of the mouthpiece part, removing dirt and plaque adhering to the teeth and decomposing bacteria in the oral cavity. Can be performed more effectively.

  Furthermore, in this case, the linear convex portion (13) or the concave portion extends in a curved line shape along the inner side surface (50a) of the dental row (50) in the oral cavity, and the inner side surface ( It is preferable to have a surface (13a) facing 50a).

  According to this configuration, the surface of the convex portion or the concave portion faces the inner surface of the dentition, so that the ultrasonic vibration of the mouthpiece portion can be directly propagated toward the inner surface of the dentition. Therefore, dirt, plaque and bacteria on the inner surface of the dentition and in the vicinity thereof can be directly decomposed and removed, so that removal of dirt and plaque adhering to the teeth and decomposition of bacteria in the oral cavity are more effective. Can be done.

  In addition, the above-described intraoral cleaning device includes a controller unit (30) connected to the mouthpiece unit (10) and the wiring (15), and includes a vibration generating unit (31), a control means (33), and a power supply unit ( 35) and the operation unit (37) may be provided in the controller unit (30).

  According to this configuration, since the mouthpiece portion and the controller portion are separated, it is possible to reduce the size and weight of the mouthpiece portion that is included in the mouth and used. In addition, the controller can be used by holding the controller in a hand or the like with the mouthpiece included in the mouth. By these, the convenience of use of an intraoral cleaning apparatus improves.

  Moreover, in said intraoral cleaning apparatus, while the mouthpiece part (10) is an elliptical plate-shaped member, it is set to the shape dimension accommodated inside the oral cavity (50). It is good to be.

  According to this configuration, the mouthpiece portion can be easily included in the mouth, and the mouthpiece portion included in the mouth can be surely immersed in the liquid in the oral cavity. Furthermore, it becomes easy to transmit ultrasonic vibration toward the teeth and gums in the oral cavity through the liquid. Therefore, cleaning of the oral cavity can be performed more effectively.

  Moreover, it can be used in the state which mounted the mouthpiece part contained in the oral cavity on the tongue by making a mouthpiece part into said shape dimension. Thereby, the ultrasonic vibration of the mouthpiece part directly propagates to the tongue, so that dirt and bacteria attached to the tongue can be effectively decomposed and removed.

  Moreover, the cleaning method for the oral cavity according to the present invention is a cleaning method for the oral cavity using the above-described oral cleaning device according to the present invention, the step including the liquid (L) in the mouth, and the mouthpiece part ( 10) in the mouth, the step of ultrasonically vibrating the mouthpiece part (10) by the vibrator (11), and the ultrasonic vibration of the mouthpiece part (10) through the liquid (L) contained in the mouth. And removing the teeth and dirt in the oral cavity by being propagated throughout the oral cavity and decomposing or removing bacteria and the like in the oral cavity.

According to the oral cavity cleaning method of the present invention, the user includes the mouthpiece part of the oral cavity cleaning device in the mouth together with the liquid, so that the ultrasonic vibration propagates throughout the oral cavity through the liquid, Inside cleaning can be performed. As a result, ultrasonic vibration spreads to every corner of the oral cavity, effectively removing not only dirt and plaque adhering to the tooth surface but also dirt accumulated in the tooth groove and teeth and gums. And can effectively decompose bacteria present in the oral cavity. In particular, bacteria such as cavities and periodontal disease causative bacteria (mutans bacteria) are broken down by the ultrasonic vibration that propagates through the liquid in the oral cavity. It is very effective for removal (sterilization) of water. By these operations, both the removal of dirt and plaque adhering to the teeth and the decomposition (sterilization) of bacteria in the oral cavity can be performed with only a very simple operation of including the mouthpiece part in the mouth together with the liquid and starting the device. Can be carried out effectively.
In addition, the code | symbol in said parenthesis has shown the code | symbol of the corresponding component of embodiment mentioned later as an example of this invention.

  According to the oral cavity cleaning device and the oral cavity cleaning method according to the present invention, it is possible to remove plaque adhering to teeth and to cause caustic and periodontal disease contained in the oral cavity in a short time and with a very simple operation. Both the removal and the removal can be effectively performed.

It is a figure showing the whole oral cavity cleaning device composition concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an intraoral cleaning apparatus. It is a figure which shows a mouthpiece part, (a) is a top view, (b) is AA sectional drawing of (a). It is a figure for demonstrating the cleaning method in the oral cavity performed using an intraoral cleaning apparatus. It is a figure which shows the state which included the mouthpiece part in the mouth. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of a mouthpiece part.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of an intraoral cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the oral cavity cleaning device. The intraoral cleaning device 1 shown in these drawings includes a mouthpiece unit 10 for a user to include in a mouth together with a liquid, and a controller unit 30 connected to the mouthpiece unit 10 by an electric cable (wiring) 15. Yes. In the middle of the electric cable 15, a jack portion 16 that enables connection and separation from each other is provided.

  The mouthpiece unit 10 incorporates a vibrator (oscillation element) 11 that vibrates the mouthpiece unit 10. In addition, the controller unit 30 includes a vibration generation unit (ultrasonic transmitter) 31 that generates an electrical signal for causing the vibrator 11 to generate vibration due to ultrasonic waves, and a control circuit for controlling the vibration generation unit 31 ( Control means) 33, a battery (power supply unit) 35 for supplying power for driving the vibration generating unit 31 and the control circuit 33, an operation switch (operation unit) 37 operated by the user, a display lamp, and the like. Display means 39 is provided.

  The mouthpiece portion 10 is a flat plate (thin plate member) having a substantially semicircular outer shape and a constricted tip side (substantially heart-shaped), and the shape and dimensions thereof are accommodated inside a dental row in the oral cavity. Is set to the shape dimension. The material of the mouthpiece portion 10 can be made of ceramics such as ceramic, synthetic resin, or metal.

  The vibrator 11 is disposed at an appropriate position in the mouthpiece unit 10. The vibrator 11 causes the mouthpiece unit 10 to vibrate by causing vibrations by ultrasonic waves based on the electrical signal transmitted from the vibration generating unit 31.

  The vibration generating unit 31 of the controller unit 30 generates an electrical signal for causing the vibrator 11 of the mouthpiece unit 10 to generate ultrasonic vibrations (hereinafter referred to as “ultrasonic vibration”). The battery 35 supplies power for driving the vibration generating unit 31. The vibrator 11 of the mouthpiece unit 10 is electrically connected to the vibration generating unit 31 of the controller unit 30 via the electric cable 15.

  The control circuit 33 controls the generation of ultrasonic vibrations by the vibration generating unit 31. Control of ultrasonic vibration is performed by inputting an ultrasonic voltage signal from the vibration generating unit 31 to the vibrator 11 that is a piezoelectric element. The control circuit 33 controls the entire intraoral cleaning device 1 in addition to the control of the vibration generating unit 31. Note that the control circuit 33 may be provided with a timer circuit for controlling the ultrasonic wave transmission time by the vibration generator 31. The vibration generator 31, the control circuit 33, and the operation switch 37 are mounted on the electric circuit board 40. The electric circuit board 40 is electrically connected to the battery 35 and is driven by electric power supplied from the battery 35. The battery 35 as the power supply unit can use a dry battery, a storage battery, or the like as an example. However, the configuration is not limited thereto, and any other configuration may be used as long as the power source for the vibration generating unit 31 and the control circuit 33 can be secured. May be.

  3A and 3B are diagrams showing the mouthpiece portion 10, in which FIG. 3A is a plan view and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. As shown in the figure, on the surface 12 (upper surface 12 a and lower surface 12 b) of the mouthpiece portion 10, a plurality of (two in the example shown in the figure) linear convex portions 13 extending along the surface 12. Is formed. The linear convex portion 13 extends in a curved linear shape along the inner side surface 50a (see FIG. 5) of the dentition 50 in the oral cavity. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the linear convex portion 13 has a side surface (a surface facing the inner side surface 50a) 13a facing the inner side surface 50a of the dentition 50 when the mouthpiece portion 10 is included in the mouth. Have Moreover, the linear convex part 13 has the waveform shape which connected the some curved line continuously so that the inner surface of the continuous tooth | gear 51,51 ... might be followed. Each curved line is dimensionally shaped so as to substantially follow the side surface of one tooth 51.

  In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, it may replace with the linear convex part 13, and may provide the linear recessed part formed by denting the surface 12 of the mouthpiece part 10. FIG. The linear recesses may have the same arrangement and shape as the linear protrusions 13 except that the surface 12 of the mouthpiece part 10 is recessed.

  In the intraoral cleaning device 1 configured as described above, when the operation switch 37a of the controller unit 30 is operated to turn on the power of the device, the vibration generating unit 31 drives the vibrator 11 so that ultrasonic vibration is generated in the mouthpiece unit 10. appear. As will be described later, by including the mouthpiece portion 10 in the mouth together with the liquid, ultrasonic vibration can propagate through the liquid throughout the oral cavity and the oral cavity can be cleaned.

  Next, a method for cleaning the oral cavity using the intraoral cleaning apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method for cleaning the oral cavity, and FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the mouthpiece portion 10 of the oral cavity cleaning device 1 is included in the mouth. In order to perform cleaning of the oral cavity using the intraoral cleaning device 1, first, as shown in FIG. 4, a liquid L such as water is included in the mouth, and the mouthpiece part 10 of the intraoral cleaning device 1 is further included in the mouth. Including. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the mouthpiece part 10 is placed in the mouth in a state of being placed inside the dental row 50 in the mouth and placed on the tongue 60. The ultrasonic voltage signal from the vibration generating unit 31 is a piezoelectric element by turning on the operation switch (power switch) 37a of the controller unit 30 with the mouthpiece unit 10 and the liquid L included in the mouth as described above. Input to the oscillation element. Thereby, the mouthpiece part 10 can be ultrasonically vibrated by the vibrator 11. The ultrasonic vibration of the mouthpiece 10 is propagated throughout the oral cavity through the liquid L contained in the mouth, so that the teeth 51 and the dirt in the oral cavity are removed and bacteria in the oral cavity are decomposed.

  That is, the surface 51a of the tooth 51 to be cleaned in the oral cavity, the gum 52, and the boundary between the tooth 51 and the gum 52 through the liquid L such as water contained in the mouth by the fine vibration caused by the ultrasonic waves generated by the vibrator 11 53 and the like. Thereby, the removal of dirt and plaque adhering to the tooth surface 51a and the like, and the decomposition (disinfection) of causative bacteria and periodontal diseases present in the oral cavity are simultaneously performed.

  Here, in general, an ultrasonic wave is a wave generated by vibration of a high-frequency sound that cannot be heard by a human ear exceeding the audible frequency range. And in the mouth washing | cleaning by the intraoral washing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the vibration by the ultrasonic wave of the frequency range exceeding this audible frequency range is used. By using such ultrasonic vibrations, it is possible to very effectively remove plaque adhering to the teeth, which is difficult to clean with a toothbrush, and dirt that causes the plaque. Moreover, the ultrasonic vibration propagated from the mouthpiece part 10 can break down the chain of bacteria (mutans bacteria) that are causative bacteria of dental caries existing in the entire oral cavity to decompose (sterilize) the bacteria. .

  Moreover, according to the intraoral cleaning apparatus 1 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG.5 (b), the mouthpiece part 10 is because the side surface 13a of the linear convex part 13 faces the inner surface 50a of a dentition. Can be directly propagated toward the inner surface 50a of the dentition 50. Therefore, dirt, plaque, and bacteria present on the inner surface 50a of the dentition and in the vicinity thereof (such as the boundary 53 between the tooth 51 and the gum 52) can be directly decomposed and removed. Removal of bacteria and decomposition of bacteria in the oral cavity can be performed more effectively.

  Moreover, according to the intraoral cleaning apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the surface area of the mouthpiece part 10 is enlarged by the linear convex part 13 formed in the surface 12 (upper surface 12a and lower surface 12b) of the mouthpiece part 10. Can do. Therefore, the area where the surface of the mouthpiece part 10 contacts the liquid becomes large. Accordingly, the ultrasonic vibration of the mouthpiece portion 10 can be more effectively propagated while reducing the outer dimension of the mouthpiece portion 10, removing dirt and plaque adhering to the teeth, and bacteria in the oral cavity. Can be more effectively performed. In addition, as a configuration for further increasing the surface area of the mouthpiece portion 10, the surface 12 of the mouthpiece portion 10 is waved or other irregularities are formed on the surface 12 in addition to the linear convex portion 13. It is also possible to do.

  Moreover, in the intraoral cleaning apparatus 1 and the cleaning method in the oral cavity of the present embodiment, the mouthpiece part 10 included in the oral cavity can be used in a state of being placed on the tongue 60. Thereby, the ultrasonic vibration of the mouthpiece part 10 directly propagates to the tongue 60, so that dirt and bacteria attached to the tongue 60 can be effectively decomposed and removed.

  The liquid L contained in the mouth together with the mouthpiece unit 10 may be a mouth washing liquid (mouth washing liquid) for washing the oral cavity in addition to water. If these mouth washing liquids are used, the oral cavity can be more effectively cleaned and sterilized.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of the mouthpiece portion. In addition to the mouthpiece portion 10 having a substantially semicircular shape with the tip side constricted (substantially heart-shaped) as described above, the mouthpiece portion 10-2 shown in FIG. A circular mouthpiece portion 10-3 shown in FIG. 6B or a rectangular mouthpiece portion 10-4 shown in FIG. 6C may be used. In any case, it is desirable that the outer dimension is a dimension and shape arranged inside the tooth row 50.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims and the specification and drawings. Deformation is possible. For example, the linear convex portions 13 provided on the surface of the mouthpiece portion 10 may have other shapes, arrangements, numbers, and the like. That is, in the said embodiment, although the case where the number of the linear convex parts 13 was two was shown, the number of the linear convex parts is not restricted to this, Other numbers may be sufficient. Further, as described above, a linear concave portion may be provided instead of the linear convex portion 13, or a combination of the linear convex portion 13 and the concave portion may be provided. Moreover, you may provide the linear convex part 13 and a recessed part only in the upper surface 12a or only the lower surface 12b besides providing in the upper surface 12a and the lower surface 12b of the mouthpiece part 10. FIG.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Intraoral washing | cleaning apparatus 10 Mouthpiece part 11 Vibrator 12 Surface 12a Upper surface 12b Lower surface 13 Convex part 13a Side surface 15 Electric cable (wiring)
16 Jack part 30 Controller part 31 Vibration generating part 33 Control circuit (control means)
35 Battery (Power supply unit)
37 Operation switch (operation unit)
39 Display means 40 Electric circuit board 50 Tooth row 50a Inner side surface 51 Tooth 51a Surface 52 Gum 53 Boundary 60 Tongue L Liquid

Claims (4)

A mouthpiece for the user to include in the mouth with the liquid;
A vibrator for vibrating the mouthpiece,
A vibration generating unit that generates an electrical signal for generating ultrasonic vibration in the vibrator;
Control means for controlling the vibration generating unit;
A power supply section for supplying power for driving the vibration generating section and the control means;
An operation unit operated by a user,
On the surface of the mouthpiece part, one or a plurality of linear convex parts or concave parts extending along the surface are formed,
An intraoral cleaning device configured to perform cleaning in the oral cavity by transmitting ultrasonic vibration of the mouthpiece part to the entire oral cavity through the liquid. The linear convex portion or the concave portion extends in a curved line shape along the inner side surface of the dentition in the oral cavity, and has a surface facing the inner side surface of the dentition. The intraoral cleaning device according to claim 1. A controller unit connected to the mouthpiece unit by wiring;
The intraoral cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the vibration generating unit, the control unit, the power supply unit, and the operation unit are provided in the controller unit . The mouthpiece portion is a plate-like member having an elliptical outer shape, and is set to have a shape and dimension that can be accommodated inside a dentition in the oral cavity. The intraoral cleaning device according to any one of the above.

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