JP5409002B2 - Interdental cleaning tool - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an interdental cleaning tool.

  Conventionally, brushing with a toothbrush has been most widely used as a method for controlling plaque, which is a cause of dental caries and periodontal disease. However, it is difficult to completely remove plaque by brushing with a toothbrush, and it is known that 20 to 50% of adhering plaque remains between the tooth surface and the teeth after brushing. In addition, the interdental adjacent surface, which is a region where plaque adhesion is unclear and the brush of the toothbrush is difficult to enter, is one of the sites with the highest caries risk. Furthermore, food pieces pressed into the interproximal adjacent surface and plaque adhering to the tooth neck of the interproximal adjacent surface cause periodontal disease. For this reason, cleaning between teeth is very important for prevention of oral diseases.

Interdental brushes and dental floss are examples of interdental cleaning tools that are effective for cleaning such interproximal adjacent surfaces that have a high risk of intraoral diseases. The interdental brush can be used only when the interdental gap is wide, but the dental floss can be used even at a site where the interdental opening is small. For this reason, dental floss is a highly versatile interdental cleaning tool.
As the dental floss, a type in which a fiber bundle in which single fibers are bundled is wound around a finger and a disposable holder type in which a fiber bundle is insert-molded in a holder are known. The holder type has been popular in recent years because of its ease of use and ease of use. The holder type is hygienic in that it does not wet the finger with saliva compared to the type in which the fiber bundle is wrapped around the finger, and it has become popular in recent years due to its ease of use and ease of use. . As the holder type, there is also known a type in which a plurality of fiber bundles are arranged in order to improve insertability and plaque removal feeling.

Examples of the type of dental floss in which a plurality of such fiber bundles are arranged include, for example, a holder having a holder portion formed in a substantially U shape that holds the insert in a pulled state (see, for example, Patent Document 2) Having an essentially flat handle, spaced arms, a first floss strand, and a second floss strand (see, for example, Patent Document 3), the legs of the holder portion being the longitudinal direction of the handle The one bent at an angle of 40 ° to 50 ° with respect to the side surface (for example, see Patent Document 4) has been proposed. In the case of the holder type dental floss, the properties and arrangement of the fiber bundles fixed to the holder have been studied mainly from the viewpoint of plaque removal effect and interdental insertion (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3). .
Patent Document 1 proposes a dental floss in which a bundle of fiber bundles is fixed to a holder. In patent document 1, it aims at provision of the interdental cleaning tool which is easy to insert and plaque removal is easy.
Patent Document 1 discloses knowledge about a shape in which a floss fixing portion on the gripping portion side of the yarn tension portion is positioned on or near the axis of the gripping portion, and knowledge on the thickness of the fiber bundle suitable for the floss. Has been.

Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3 propose dental floss in which a plurality of fiber bundles are fixed to a holder.
Patent Document 2 aims to provide an interdental cleaning tool that can reliably remove food residue sandwiched between teeth and that can provide a good cleaning effect. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses knowledge relating to the width and thickness of an insert made of a plurality of filaments.
In patent document 3, it aims at provision of the interdental cleaning tool which is easy to insert and plaque removal is easy.
Patent Document 3 discloses a dental flosser having two strands, and describes the distance, spacing, and denier of the strands. One strand of the two strands described in Patent Document 3 backs up the other strand.
JP-A-8-266340 JP 2000-197647 A JP 2001-503664 A No. 7-13694

As described above, dental floss is an optimal tool for preventing oral diseases because of its high interdental cleaning effect. However, at present, dental floss is not as popular as toothbrushes. One of the reasons is that the effect of removing fouling between dental flosses is not as easily recognized as brushing with a toothbrush, and the motivation for the user to continue using is less likely to increase. In other words, when cleaning with a toothbrush, there is a feeling that it is smooth when the plaque on the smooth surface is removed, but when cleaning with dental floss, the feeling that the dirt is removed because the cleaning site is between the teeth. Hateful.
Moreover, the point with the low usability of dental floss is mentioned. With conventional dental floss, even a holder-type dental floss that is simpler than the type used by wrapping a fiber bundle around a finger is not sufficient in operability compared with a toothbrush and can improve usability. It was requested. In particular, in dental floss in which a plurality of fiber bundles are arranged, it may be difficult to insert the fiber bundle between teeth, and improvement has been desired.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides an interdental cleaning tool that can realize the effect of removing dirt between teeth, and provides an interdental cleaning tool that is excellent in operability and easy to use. For the purpose.

The present inventor has conducted extensive research to obtain a high cleaning effect, and to make it easy for the user to recognize dirt such as plaque removed by interdental cleaning. The tooth of the present invention is based on the technical idea that the continuous use intention of the interdental cleaning tool can be enhanced by making it perceived and sensed physically and visually, and oral diseases can be effectively prevented. I came up with a cleaning tool.
Also, when performing interdental cleaning using an interdental cleaning tool in which a plurality of fiber bundles are arranged, in order to smoothly and efficiently insert and remove fiber bundles between teeth, two or more bundles are required. It has been found that it is desirable to insert the fiber bundle between the teeth in a state where the extending direction of the arrangement surface where the fiber bundles are arranged is directed between the teeth. The inventor can easily hold the arrangement surface with the teeth facing between the teeth, can easily perform fine operations, insert and remove fiber bundles between the teeth, and change the direction of the thread tension portion. The interdental cleaning tool of the present invention that can be easily performed without feeling a burden has been conceived.

The interdental cleaning tool of the present invention is an interdental cleaning tool comprising: an arch-like thread tension portion in which a fiber bundle for interdental cleaning is tensioned; and a grip portion provided with the thread tension portion at one end. The tension part is provided with an insert in which fiber bundles of 2 bundles or more and 4 bundles or less are arranged substantially in parallel, the distance between the centers of adjacent fiber bundles is 0.6 to 1.0 mm, and the fineness of each fiber bundle 400 to 700 dtex, and the total fineness of the fiber bundles of 2 to 4 bundles is 1200 to 2000 dtex.

  Further, in the interdental cleaning tool of the present invention, a dirt film containing plaque is formed between adjacent fiber bundles by inserting and removing the insert between the teeth to which plaque adheres. be able to.

  Further, in the interdental cleaning tool of the present invention, each of the fiber bundles is deformed by being inserted between the teeth so that the fiber bundle is partly in contact with the other fiber bundle and restored by being taken out between the teeth. Can be.

Further, in the interdental cleaning tool of the present invention, the gripping portion has a support surface to which a user's finger is attached in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement surface in which the fiber bundles of 2 to 4 bundles are arranged. Can be provided.

In the interdental cleaning tool of the present invention, the gripping portion is a value obtained by dividing the maximum width dimension α in the direction perpendicular to the array plane by the width dimension β in the direction parallel to the array plane. β can be 1 to 9.5.
Preferably, the α / β can be set to 2 to 3.

  Moreover, in the interdental cleaning tool of this invention, the said holding | grip part shall be the range whose maximum width dimension (alpha) of the orthogonal | vertical direction is 5 mm-15 mm with respect to the said array surface.

  Moreover, in the interdental cleaning tool of this invention, the length of the said holding | grip part shall be 70 mm or more.

  Moreover, in the interdental cleaning tool of this invention, the cross-sectional shape of the said holding part can be made into any of a substantially rectangular shape, a substantially hexagonal shape, and a substantially elliptical shape.

In the present invention, it is possible to provide an interdental cleaning tool that allows the user to experience and visually recognize the dirt removal effect between teeth. Therefore, the continuous use intention of the interdental cleaning tool can be increased, and oral diseases can be effectively prevented.
In addition, according to the interdental cleaning tool of the present invention, it is easy to have the extending direction of the arrangement surface in which the fiber bundles of 2 bundles or more and 4 bundles or less are arranged in the state where the interdental faces, and easy to perform fine operations. The operation of inserting and removing the fiber bundle between the teeth and the operation of changing the direction of the yarn tension portion can be easily performed without feeling a muscle strain. Therefore, according to the interdental cleaning tool of the present invention, interdental cleaning can be sufficiently performed with a small burden, and oral diseases can be effectively prevented.

Drawing 1A is a mimetic diagram for explaining an example of an interdental cleaning tool of the present invention. FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of the interdental cleaning tool of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view showing a part of the interdental cleaning tool shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view showing a part of the interdental cleaning tool shown in FIG. 1, and is a view for explaining the state of the interdental cleaning tool after cleaning. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a situation in which interdental cleaning is performed using the interdental cleaning tool shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a situation where interdental cleaning is performed using the interdental cleaning tool shown in FIG. 1.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Interdental cleaning tool 2 Gripping part 3 Yarn tension part 4 Insert body 4a, 4b, 4c Fiber bundle 8 Pick 6 Between fiber bundles 9 Dirt film 41 Arrangement surface

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.
FIG. 1 is a schematic view for explaining an example of an interdental cleaning tool of the present invention, FIG. 1A is a side view, and FIG. 1B is a view when a fiber bundle for interdental cleaning is viewed downward. FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view showing a part of the interdental cleaning tool shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view showing a part of the interdental cleaning tool shown in FIG. 1, and is a view for explaining the state of the interdental cleaning tool after cleaning. 4 and 5 are diagrams for explaining a situation where interdental cleaning is performed using the interdental cleaning tool shown in FIG.

  The interdental cleaning tool 1 shown in FIG. 1 has an arch-shaped thread tension part 3, a thread tension part 3 provided at one end, a pick 8 having a toothpick function at the other end, and a cross-sectional shape substantially rectangular. A gripping portion 2 and an insert 4 made of a fiber bundle for interdental cleaning that is strained on the thread tension portion 3. The grip portion 2 includes a support surface 2a to which a user's finger is attached. The yarn tension portion 3 is substantially U-shaped, and is gently curved from the grip portion 2 side toward the tip. In the interdental cleaning tool 1 shown in FIG. 1, the extending direction of the grip portion 2 is parallel to the arrangement direction of the fiber bundles of the insert 4. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, an insertion body 4 in which three bundles of fiber bundles 4a, 4b, 4c are arranged substantially in parallel is provided on the thread tension portion 3 of the interdental cleaning tool 1 shown in FIG. ing.

  The material of the fiber bundles 4a, 4b, and 4c is preferably a polyester resin such as polyethylene terephthalate, a polyamide resin such as nylon 6 or nylon 66, or a polyolefin resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene. Moreover, it is preferable that the thickness of the single fiber of fiber bundle 4a, 4b, 4c shall be 2-20 dtex. Further, in order to increase the workability of the fiber bundles 4a, 4b, and 4c at the time of manufacture and to reduce the fraying of the fiber bundles 4a, 4b, and 4c, it is preferable that the fibers are twisted. It is preferably 50 to 150 times per meter.

  The material of the gripping part 2 may be a polyester resin such as polyethylene terephthalate, or a polyolefin resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene, but it is preferable to use a polystyrene resin (PS) because of its low shrinkage during molding. Further, in order to be able to use the grip portion 2 by bending it or to make the pick 8 have a good toothpick function, high impact polystyrene (HIPS) having high impact strength is used as the material of the grip portion 2. preferable.

  The interdental cleaning tool 1 shown in FIG. 1 is inserted between teeth and removed, thereby forming a dirt film 9 containing plaque between adjacent fiber bundles 6 as shown in FIG. . Further, in the interdental cleaning tool 1 of the present embodiment, the fiber bundles 4a, 4b, and 4c are inserted between the teeth, so that they are deformed from a state in which they are separated from each other and arranged substantially in parallel with each other. The bundle is partially in contact with each other, restored by being taken out between the teeth, and again separated from each other and arranged substantially in parallel. By setting it as such an interdental cleaning tool 1, the mixture of the plaque and saliva removed at the time of cleaning becomes easy to spread in the form of a film between the fiber bundles 6, and the dirt film containing plaque between the adjacent fiber bundles 6 9 is easily formed. Moreover, by setting it as such an interdental cleaning tool 1, high insertion property between teeth and a high plaque removal feeling are obtained.

  Moreover, in the interdental cleaning tool 1 shown in FIG. 1, as shown in FIG. 2, the distance (fiber bundle interval) D between the centers of adjacent fiber bundles 6 of three bundles of fiber bundles 4a, 4b, and 4c is 0. .6 to 1.0 mm, preferably 0.7 to 0.9 mm, and most preferably 0.8 mm, and the fineness of each fiber bundle 4a, 4b and 4c is 400 to 700 dtex, preferably 500 to 700 dtex. The total fineness (total fiber bundle fineness) of the bundles of fiber bundles 4a, 4b, and 4c is set to 1200 to 2000 dtex.

  In the interdental cleaning tool 1 shown in FIG. 1, since the distance D between the centers of the adjacent fiber bundles 6 is arranged in the above range, the removed plaque and saliva as shown in FIG. Is easily spread in the form of a film between the fiber bundles 6, and a dirt film 9 containing plaque is easily formed between the adjacent fiber bundles 6, so that the removed plaque can be easily recognized.

  When the fiber bundle interval D shown in FIG. 2 exceeds 1.0 mm, the fiber bundle interval D is too wide to make it difficult to form the dirt film 9 containing dental plaque, and dirt between the teeth is caused by the fiber bundles 4a, 4b, 4c may only adhere to the periphery, and it becomes difficult to visually recognize the presence or absence of removed plaque. Further, when the fiber bundle interval D exceeds 1.0 mm, the fiber bundles 4a, 4b, 4c are in contact with other fiber bundles by the insertion / removal operation between the teeth of the fiber bundles 4a, 4b, 4c during cleaning. This may result in insufficient adhesion between the fiber bundles 4a, 4b, 4c and the tooth surface.

  On the other hand, if the fiber bundle interval D is less than 0.6 mm, whether or not the fiber bundle interval D is too narrow and the fiber bundle interval D is filled with dental plaque, even if the fiber bundle interval D is filled with dental plaque. Becomes difficult to recognize. Further, when the fiber bundle interval D is less than 0.6 mm, the fiber bundles 4a, 4b, and 4c are slackened by the insertion / removal operation between the teeth of the fiber bundles 4a, 4b, and 4c during cleaning, and the fiber bundles overlap each other. When the fiber bundles 4a, 4b, and 4c are difficult to unwind when in contact with other fiber bundles, the fiber bundles 4a, 4b, and 4c are arranged substantially in parallel and are unlikely to return to a separated state. Become. For this reason, when the fiber bundle interval D is less than 0.6 mm, the fiber bundles often overlap each other and try to pass between the teeth in a state of being arranged in parallel with the teeth, and a thick fiber bundle is used. As with the case, the insertability (removability) between the teeth decreases. In particular, when a plurality of thin fiber bundles are arranged in a band shape without a gap, the degree of freedom of movement of each fiber bundle at the time of cleaning is reduced, so that the fibers are in contact with other fiber bundles. Since the bundle becomes very difficult to unwind and it is difficult to return to the state of being arranged substantially in parallel, the insertability (removability) between the teeth of the fiber bundles 4a, 4b, and 4c may be remarkably deteriorated. Furthermore, when manufacturing the interdental cleaning tool 1, each fiber bundle 4a, 4b, 4c is inserted in the corresponding groove | channel of each fiber bundle 4a, 4b, 4c formed in the metal mold | die, and insert molding is performed. However, if the fiber bundle interval D is narrow, it becomes difficult to insert the fiber bundles 4a, 4b, and 4c into the groove of the mold, and the workability at the time of molding deteriorates. As a result, the fiber bundles 4a, 4b, and 4c protrude from the groove, and the possibility of forming defects increases.

In general, dental floss often uses a fiber bundle having a fineness of about 1000 dtex. By making the fiber bundle thinner, it is possible to improve the insertability between the teeth. On the other hand, when the fiber bundle is thinned, the adhesion between the fiber bundle and the tooth surface is lowered, so that the cleaning effect is lowered and the plaque removal feeling is lowered.
On the other hand, in the interdental cleaning tool 1 of the present embodiment, since the three bundles of fiber bundles 4a, 4b, and 4c are arranged substantially in parallel, the thickness of each of the fiber bundles 4a, 4b, and 4c is generally set. Even if it is made thinner than dental floss to improve the insertion between the teeth, sufficient adhesion between the fiber bundles 4a, 4b, 4c and the tooth surface can be ensured. Therefore, the interdental cleaning tool 1 of the present embodiment can obtain a high cleaning effect while maintaining a good insertion property, and has a high plaque removal feeling that the interdental dirt removal effect can be easily recognized. It will be a thing.
However, in the interdental cleaning tool 1 of the present embodiment, when the fineness of each of the fiber bundles 4a, 4b, and 4c exceeds 700 dtex, or when the total fiber bundle thickness exceeds 2000 dtex, the interdental insertion property is remarkably reduced. Resulting in. On the other hand, when the fineness of each fiber bundle 4a, 4b, 4c is less than 400 dtex or the total fiber bundle fineness is less than 1200 dtex, the plaque removal actual feeling is lowered.

When passing the insert 4 between the teeth, the fiber bundles 4a, 4b, 4c are inserted between the teeth regardless of the relationship between the extending direction of the arrangement surface 41 and the depth direction between the teeth. As shown in FIG. 4, the fiber bundles 4a, 4b, and 4c are arranged in series with respect to the teeth while deforming according to the force applied to the fiber bundles 4a, 4b, and 4c applied by the take-out operation. And / or as shown in Drawing 5, it passes between teeth in the state where fiber bundles overlapped.
Here, the state in which the fiber bundles 4a, 4b, and 4c are arranged in series with respect to the interdental space means that three bundles of fiber bundles 4a occupied in the direction perpendicular to the arrangement surface 41, as shown in FIG. It means that the width of 4b, 4c is the thickness dimension of the fiber bundle having the largest fineness among the fiber bundles 4a, 4b, 4c constituting the insert 4. Further, the state in which the fiber bundles overlap each other is a state in which at least a part of the fiber bundles 4a, 4b, and 4c overlaps in parallel with each other as shown in FIG. It means that the width of the three bundles 4a, 4b, 4c occupied in the vertical direction is wider than the thickness of each bundle 4a, 4b, 4c. For example, in FIG. 5, all the fiber bundles 4a, 4b, and 4c are integrated and overlapped in parallel with each other between the teeth in the vicinity of the center in the length direction of the fiber bundles 4a, 4b, and 4c.

  For example, in the interdental cleaning tool 1 of the present embodiment, when the fiber bundles 4a, 4b, and 4c are allowed to pass through narrow teeth that cannot be passed in a state where the fiber bundles 4a, 4b, and 4c are arranged in parallel with respect to the teeth, FIG. As shown in Fig. 4, the fiber bundles 4a, 4b, and 4c are deformed into a state of being arranged in series with respect to the teeth and pass between the teeth. Therefore, in the interdental cleaning tool 1 of this embodiment, the insertion between the excellent interdental equivalent to the case where the thickest one of the fiber bundles 4a, 4b, and 4c constituting the insert 4 is used. Property (removability) is obtained. In addition, in this case, since the three fiber bundles 4a, 4b, and 4c arranged in series with respect to the gap between teeth in one insertion / removal operation rub against the tooth surface, a high cleaning effect can be obtained.

Further, when passing between teeth wider than the thickness of each fiber bundle 4a, 4b, 4c, each fiber bundle 4a, 4b, 4c passes between the teeth along the tooth surface while freely deforming. To do. Even in this case, a plurality of fiber bundles rub the tooth surface in one insertion / removal operation. Further, even if the fiber bundles 4a, 4b, and 4c are thin, the three bundles 4a, 4b, and 4c that occupy in the direction perpendicular to the arrangement surface 41 due to the deformation of the fiber bundles 4a, 4b, and 4c. Therefore, the adhesion between the fiber bundles 4a, 4b, and 4c and the tooth surface can be sufficiently ensured.
Therefore, a high cleaning effect is obtained.

  Furthermore, in the interdental cleaning tool 1 according to the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, even when it is in a state where a part of another fiber bundle is in contact with each other when passing between the teeth, it has passed between the teeth. After that, it is quickly restored, and as shown in FIG. 2, they are separated from each other and arranged substantially in parallel.

  Further, in the interdental cleaning tool 1 shown in FIG. 1, the arch height of the yarn tension portion 3 is perpendicular to the arrangement surface 41 in which the fiber bundles 4a, 4b, and 4c of the grip portion 2 having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional view are arranged. The maximum width dimension α in the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction is in the range of 5 mm to 15 mm, and the vertical width is divided by the width dimension β parallel to the array surface 41. Since a certain α / β is 1 to 9.5, as shown in FIG. 4, a thumb or an index finger is attached substantially perpendicularly to the insertion direction of the insert 4, and the extending direction of the array surface 41 is defined by the teeth. The insert 4 can be easily inserted and removed between the teeth while facing in between. By inserting the insert 4 between the teeth in a state where the extending direction of the arrangement surface 41 is between the teeth, the insertion and removal operations of the insert 4 between the teeth can be performed smoothly and efficiently.

In order to efficiently clean the interdental space using the interdental cleaning tool 1 including the insert 4 in which a plurality of fiber bundles are arranged as in the interdental cleaning tool 1 shown in FIG. It is desirable to insert the insert 4 between the teeth with the direction facing between the teeth. In addition, the insertion and removal operations of the insert 4 between the teeth are performed with a thumb or finger on the support surface 2a provided in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement surface 41 with the extending direction of the arrangement surface 41 facing the teeth. It is preferable to carry the interdental cleaning tool 1 with the index finger.
However, when the maximum width dimension α in the vertical direction of the grip portion 2 shown in FIG. 1 is less than 5 mm, when the thumb or the index finger is attached to the surface of the grip portion 2 in the vertical direction with respect to the arrangement surface 41, Since the pressure applied to the thumb or index finger attached substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction of the insert 4 increases, the thumb or index finger may feel pain. If the vertical width dimension α in the vertical direction of the grip portion 2 exceeds 15 mm, the grip portion 2 and the finger when the thumb or the index finger is attached to the surface of the grip portion 2 in the vertical direction with respect to the arrangement surface 41. Since the contact area is too wide, it is difficult to perform fine operations in the oral cavity, resulting in poor operability.

  When α / β, which is a value obtained by dividing the maximum width dimension α in the vertical direction by the width dimension β in the parallel direction with respect to the arrangement surface 41, is less than 1, the cross-sectional shape of the grip portion 2 is that of the insert 4. Since it has a vertically long shape along the insertion direction, it has a thumb or index finger attached to the surface of the grip portion 2 perpendicular to the arrangement surface 41 with the extending direction of the arrangement surface 41 facing between the teeth. Therefore, the grip becomes unstable and the operability is deteriorated. When α / β, which is a value obtained by dividing the maximum vertical width dimension α by the width dimension β in the parallel direction with respect to the arrangement surface 41, exceeds 9.5, the width dimension β in the parallel direction of the grip portion 2 decreases. Therefore, the rigidity may be insufficient and a fine operation in the oral cavity may be difficult to perform, resulting in poor operability.

  Here, for example, α / β, which is a value obtained by dividing the maximum width dimension α in the vertical direction by the width dimension β in the direction parallel to the array surface 41, is less than 1, and / or perpendicular to the array surface 41. When the maximum width dimension α in the direction is less than 5 mm, when cleaning between the teeth, the surface of the grip portion 2 in the direction perpendicular to the array surface 41 is attached to the array surface 41 rather than having a thumb or index finger attached thereto. It is easier to hold the side of the grip portion 2 that is substantially parallel so as to be sandwiched between the thumb and index finger. However, when grasping the side surface of the grasping part 2, if the force for pinching the finger is insufficient, the force is applied between the fingers by applying force in the insertion direction of the interdental cleaning tool (depth direction between the teeth). Since the cleaning tool will fall off, it is necessary to hold the thumb with the thumb on the index finger. Therefore, the burden on the thumb adductor which is the main muscle of the pinching operation by the thumb and the index finger and the burden on the first dorsal interosseous muscle of the index finger are very large. Thus, when the user's muscle burden is large, it becomes difficult to sufficiently clean the teeth.

  On the other hand, according to the interdental cleaning tool 1 of the present embodiment, the arrangement surface 41 is arranged with the extending direction of the arrangement surface 41 facing between the teeth without strongly pinching the grip portion 2 with the thumb and the index finger. With the thumb or index finger attached to the surface of the grip portion 2 perpendicular to the surface 41, the insertion and removal operations of the insert 4 between the teeth can be performed. Therefore, it is possible to easily perform interdental cleaning without feeling the muscle burden of the thumb adductor and the first dorsal interosseous muscle of the finger, and until the dental plaque removal feeling is sufficiently obtained, Cleaning can be performed sufficiently.

Further, the length L of the grip portion 2 shown in FIG. 1 is 70 mm or more. The gripping part 2 here means all parts behind the base of the yarn tensioning part 3 (on the side of the pick 8 in FIG. 1). By setting the length L of the gripping part 2 to 70 mm or more, as shown in FIG. 4, the little finger reaches the end of the gripping part 2, and the interdental cleaning tool 1 can be gripped firmly and stably, Easy to clean between teeth and easy to use. Therefore, oral cleaning can be sufficiently performed using the interdental cleaning tool 1 of the present embodiment.
On the other hand, if the length L of the grip portion 2 is less than 70 mm, for example, when the base of the thread tension portion 3 is gripped when the insert 4 is inserted, the pick 8 constituting the end portion of the grip portion 2 is used. Becomes difficult to reach the little finger, making it difficult to perform stable cleaning.

  Moreover, in the interdental cleaning tool 1 of this embodiment, since the extension direction of the holding part 2 is parallel to the arrangement direction of the fiber bundles 4a, 4b, and 4c, the extension direction of the arrangement surface 41 is directed between the teeth. In this state, it is easy to apply force when holding the thumb or index finger on the surface of the gripping part 2 in the direction perpendicular to the arrangement surface 41, and the interdental cleaning tool 1 can be inserted and removed more easily between the teeth. It can be done more easily.

  Further, in the interdental cleaning tool 1 of the present embodiment, the distance D between the centers of the adjacent fiber bundles of the three bundles 4a, 4b, 4c is 0.6 to 1.0 mm, and each fiber bundle 4a. 4b and 4c have a fineness of 400 to 700 dtex, and the total fineness of the three bundles of fiber bundles 4a, 4b and 4c is 1200 to 2000 dtex, so that better insertability and higher cleaning effect can be obtained. . Further, according to the interdental cleaning tool 1 of the present embodiment, the mixture of removed plaque and saliva is likely to spread in a film shape between the fiber bundles 6, and a dirt film containing plaque between the adjacent fiber bundles 6. 9 is easily formed, the removed plaque can be easily recognized, and the intention to use the interdental cleaning tool continuously can be enhanced.

  Usually, the fiber bundle for interdental cleaning is colorless to white, and the plaque is close to white. For this reason, it is difficult to recognize even if plaque adheres to the fiber bundle. In particular, dental floss with a bundle of fiber bundles arranged like a conventional interdental cleaning tool or a dental floss with a fiber bundle arranged without gaps can recognize even if plaque adheres to the fiber bundle. Was difficult. On the other hand, in the interdental cleaning tool of the present invention, since at least two fiber bundles are arranged substantially in parallel, the teeth are inserted between adjacent fiber bundles by being inserted and taken out between the teeth during cleaning. A dirt film containing plaque is formed by sandwiching the plaque, and the removed plaque is in a state where it can be easily recognized. This is because the gap between the fiber bundles arranged in parallel is filled with the removed plaque so that the plaque can be seen well.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above. For example, the shape of the arch-shaped yarn tension portion may not be the shape shown in FIG. 1, but may be a U-shape or a Y-shape. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a pick 8 can be provided on the opposite side of the grip portion 2 from the yarn tension portion 3. For example, instead of the pick 8, the yarn tension portion 3 shown in FIG. 1 is provided. Alternatively, the pick 8 may be replaced with a flat bar shape.

  Moreover, although the cross-sectional shape of the holding part 2 of the interdental cleaning tool 1 of embodiment mentioned above can be made into a substantially rectangular shape, flat substantially polygons, such as a flat substantially octagon and a flat substantially hexagon, Any shape such as a substantially oval shape may be used. Moreover, in order to give the anti-slip | skid effect on the surface of the holding part 2, the rib and the grain may be put.

Moreover, in the interdental cleaning tool 1 of embodiment mentioned above, although the fineness of 3 bundles of fiber bundles 4a, 4b, 4c was made all the same, only a part may differ and all may differ. .
Furthermore, in the interdental cleaning tool 1 of the embodiment described above, the distances D between the centers of the adjacent fiber bundles 6 are all the same, but may be different. In the present invention, when the number of fiber bundles of two or more bundles exceeds 3, the distances D between the centers of the adjacent fiber bundles may all be the same or may be partially different. All may be different.
Moreover, in the interdental cleaning tool 1 of embodiment mentioned above, although the number of fiber bundles was made into 3 bundles, the number of fiber bundles should just be 2 bundles or more, and it is not specifically limited.

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples.
“Experimental Example 1 to Experimental Example 7”
1 in which three bundles of fiber bundles 4a, 4b, and 4c having a fineness of 560 dtex are arranged in the yarn tension portion 3 substantially in parallel at a fiber bundle interval D (a distance between centers of adjacent fiber bundles) shown in Table 1. The interdental cleaning tool 1 shown in FIG. 2 was manufactured.

"Experimental example 8"
An interdental cleaning tool similar to Experimental Example 1 was manufactured except that the fineness of the fiber bundle was 1000 dtex and the number of fiber bundles was one.

"Experimental example 9"
The interdental cleaning tool was manufactured in the same manner as in Experimental Example 1 except that the fineness of the fiber bundle was 170 dtex, the number of fiber bundles was 6, and the adjacent fiber bundles were arranged in a strip shape so as to contact each other.

  The “formability” of the interdental cleaning tool of Experimental Examples 1 to 9 obtained in this way was evaluated based on the evaluation criteria shown below. Further, 30 panelists performed interdental cleaning using the interdental cleaning tool of Experimental Examples 1 to 9, and evaluated “Ease of seeing removed plaque” based on the following evaluation criteria. Furthermore, "comprehensive evaluation" of "easiness of molding" and "ease of seeing removed plaque" was evaluated based on the following evaluation criteria. The results are shown in Table 1.

<Evaluation criteria>
Three-stage absolute evaluation “Formability (Ease of Molding)”
○: Defect rate less than 1% △: Defect rate 1 to less than 5% ×: Defect rate 5% or more
“Ease of seeing removed plaque”
○: Very easy to read △: Slightly easy to read ×: Difficult to see “Comprehensive evaluation”
○: Very good △: Slightly good ×: Not good

  As shown in Table 1, in Experimental Examples 2 to 6 in which the fiber bundle interval was within the range of the present invention, there was no x in all evaluations, and good results were obtained. Furthermore, in Experimental Example 3 to Experimental Example 5 in which the fiber bundle interval is 0.7 to 0.9 mm, the overall evaluation is ○ or ○ to Δ, and in Experimental Example 4 in which the fiber bundle interval is 0.8 mm, all Evaluation was (circle) and it has confirmed that it was more preferable.

  In Experimental Example 1, since the fiber bundle interval is 0.5 mm and is less than 0.6 to 1.0 mm which is the range of the present invention, it is difficult to recognize whether the fiber bundle interval is filled with dental plaque. The evaluation of “easiness to see the removed plaque” was x˜Δ. In Experimental Example 1, since the fiber bundle interval was narrow, the workability at the time of molding was poor, and the evaluation of “moldability” was x to Δ. Furthermore, in Experimental Example 1, when the fiber bundle sag during cleaning, the fiber bundles easily overlap each other in the width direction between the teeth, and it is difficult to insert between the teeth.

  In Experimental Example 7 in which the fiber bundle interval exceeded the range of the present invention, the evaluation of “easy to see the removed plaque” was x to Δ because it was difficult to form a dirt film. In Experimental Example 7, “overall evaluation” was also x to Δ.

Further, in Experimental Example 8 in which the number of fiber bundles was one, “ease of seeing removed plaque” and “overall evaluation” were x to Δ.
In Experimental Example 9 in which the fiber bundles were arranged in a strip shape so that adjacent fiber bundles were in contact with each other, the “easiness to see the removed plaque” and the “total evaluation” were x to Δ.

“Experimental Example 10 to Experimental Example 16”
3 is a diagram in which three bundles of fiber bundles 4a, 4b, and 4c having the fineness shown in Table 2 are arranged substantially in parallel at a fiber bundle interval D (distance between centers of adjacent fiber bundles) of 0.8 mm on the yarn tension portion 3. 1 and the interdental cleaning tool 1 shown in FIG. 2 was manufactured.

"Experimental example 17"
An interdental cleaning tool similar to Experimental Example 10 to Experimental Example 16 was manufactured except that the number of fiber bundles was two.
"Experiment 18"
An interdental cleaning tool similar to Experimental Example 10 to Experimental Example 16 was manufactured except that the number of fiber bundles was four.

"Experimental example 19"
An interdental cleaning tool similar to Experimental Example 10 to Experimental Example 16 was manufactured except that the number of fiber bundles was one.
"Experiment 20"
The interdental cleaning tool was manufactured in the same manner as in Experimental Examples 10 to 16, except that the number of fiber bundles was 6, and the adjacent fiber bundles were arranged in a strip shape so as to contact each other.
"Experimental example 21"
An interdental cleaning tool similar to Experimental Example 10 to Experimental Example 16 was manufactured except that the number of fiber bundles was two.

  Using the interdental cleaning tool of Experimental Examples 10 to 21 obtained in this way, 30 panelists performed interdental cleaning, and “interdental insertion property” and “plaque removal feeling” are shown below. Evaluation was performed based on the evaluation criteria. Furthermore, “comprehensive evaluation” between evaluation of “interdental insertion property” and evaluation of “plaque removal actual feeling” was evaluated based on the following evaluation criteria. The results are shown in Table 2.

<Evaluation criteria>
Three-stage absolute evaluation "interdental insertion (ease of insertion and removal between the teeth)"
○: Very easy to insert. △: Slightly easy to insert.
○: I feel very much △: I feel a little ×: “Comprehensive evaluation” that I don't feel much
○: Very good △: Slightly good ×: Not good

  As shown in Table 2, all evaluations were made in Experimental Example 11 to Experimental Example 15 and Experimental Example 17 to Experimental Example 18 in which the fineness of the fiber bundle and the total fineness of the fiber bundle (total fiber bundle fineness) are within the scope of the present invention. There was no “x” in the graph, and good results were obtained. Further, in Experimental Examples 12 to 13 in which the fineness of the fiber bundle is 500 to 560 dtex and the total fineness (total fiber bundle fineness) of the fiber bundle is 1500 to 1680 dtex, “Comprehensive evaluation” becomes “O”, which is more preferable. It could be confirmed. In Experimental Example 15 in which the total fineness of the fiber bundle (total fiber bundle fineness) is 1950 dtex, the “total evaluation” is Δ, and the total fineness of the fiber bundle (total fiber bundle fineness) is more preferably 1200 to 1800 dtex. It could be confirmed.

In Experimental Example 10 in which the thickness of the fiber bundle and the total fineness of the fiber bundle (total fiber bundle fineness) were less than the range of the present invention, “plaque removal actual feeling” was x.
In Experimental Example 16 in which the thickness of the fiber bundle and the total fineness of the fiber bundle (total fiber bundle fineness) exceeded the range of the present invention, the “interdental insertability” was x.

In Experimental Example 19 in which the thickness of the fiber bundle exceeds the range of the present invention, the total fineness of the fiber bundle (total fiber bundle fineness) is less than the range of the present invention, and the number of fiber bundles is one bundle, ”,“ Plaque removal feeling ”, and“ overall evaluation ”were x to Δ.
In Experimental Example 20 in which the fiber bundles are arranged in a strip shape so that adjacent fiber bundles are in contact with each other, the movement of the fiber bundles is limited during interdental cleaning because the fiber bundles are not arranged at intervals, and the fineness of the fiber bundles is also Although the total fineness of the fiber bundle (total fiber bundle fineness) was also less than the range of the present invention, “interdental insertion property” and “overall evaluation” were evaluated as x.
In Experimental Example 21 in which the total fineness of the fiber bundle (total fiber bundle fineness) is less than the range of the present invention, “plaque removal actual feeling” and “overall evaluation” were x to Δ.

Next, another example of the present invention will be shown.
“Experimental Example 22 to Experimental Example 28”
An interdental cleaning tool in which fiber bundles having the fineness and the number of fiber bundles shown in Table 3 are arranged on the yarn tension portion substantially in parallel with the fiber bundle interval shown in Table 3 (the distance between the centers of adjacent fiber bundles). Manufactured.

In addition, the fiber bundle fineness and the fiber bundle interval shown in Table 3 are shown in order with the inner side of the yarn tension portion facing up and the outer side facing down.
Using the interdental cleaning tool of Experimental Examples 22 to 28 obtained in this manner, “interdental insertion property”, “plaque removal feeling”, and “overall evaluation” were evaluated in the same manner as in Experimental Example 10. . The results are shown in Table 3.
As shown in Table 3, in Experimental Example 22 to Experimental Example 28 in which the fineness of the fiber bundle and the total fineness of the fiber bundle (total fiber bundle fineness) are within the scope of the present invention, all evaluations have no x and good results It became.

“Experimental Example 29 to Experimental Example 43”
Three bundles of fiber bundles having a fineness of 560 dtex are arranged substantially parallel to each other at a fiber bundle interval D (distance between the centers of adjacent fiber bundles) of 0.8 mm in the yarn tension portion. Direction maximum width α (maximum width dimension α in the direction perpendicular to the array surface) ”“ parallel direction width β (width dimension in the direction parallel to the array surface) ”“ vertical maximum width α / parallel direction width β ” An interdental cleaning tool provided with a grip portion having a “cross-sectional shape” was manufactured.

Using the interdental cleaning tools of Experimental Examples 29 to 43 obtained in this way, 30 panelists cleaned the interdental teeth, and “finger pain”, “operability” and “ease of holding” were as follows: Evaluation was performed based on the evaluation criteria shown.
The results are shown in Table 4.

<Evaluation criteria>
3-level absolute evaluation "finger pain"
○: I don't feel at all △: I don't feel at all ×: Feel "operability"
○: Very easy to operate △: Slightly easy to operate ×: “Ease of holding” difficult to operate
○: Very easy to hold △: Slightly easy to hold ×: Hard to hold

As shown in Table 4, Experimental Example 31 to Experimental Example 34, Experimental Example 36 to Experimental Example 39, and Experimental Examples 41 to 41 in which the vertical maximum width α and the vertical maximum width α / parallel width β are within the scope of the present invention. In Experimental Example 42, there was no cross in all evaluations, and good results were obtained.
Further, in Experimental Example 33, Experimental Example 41, and Experimental Example 42 in which the vertical maximum width α is 9.5 mm and the vertical maximum width α / parallel width β is 2.7, comprehensive evaluation is performed regardless of the cross-sectional shape. Became ◯, confirming that it was more preferable.

  In Experimental Example 29 and Experimental Example 30, the vertical maximum width α is less than 5 to 15 mm, which is the range of the present invention, so that the user feels pain when grasping and the evaluation of “finger pain” is x or x to Δ. became. In Experimental Example 29 and Experimental Example 30, the evaluation of “operability” and “ease of holding” was also x or x˜Δ.

  In Experimental Example 35, since the vertical maximum width α exceeds 5 to 15 mm, which is the range of the present invention, the movement of the finger is limited, and it is difficult to perform a fine operation. Since it was difficult to change the direction of the tension part, evaluations of “operability” and “ease of holding” were x to Δ.

  In Experimental Example 40 and Experimental Example 43, the vertical maximum width α / parallel width β is less than 1 to 9.5, which is the range of the present invention. Since the burden of the adductor muscle and the first dorsal interosseous muscle of the finger was large and difficult to hold, the evaluation of “operability” and “ease of holding” was x or x to Δ.

Next, another example of the present invention will be shown.
“Experimental Example 44 to Experimental Example 52”
Three bundles of fibers having a thickness of 560 dtex are arranged substantially parallel to each other at a fiber bundle interval D (distance between the centers of adjacent fiber bundles) of 0.8 mm on the yarn tension portion. Large α (maximum width dimension α in the direction perpendicular to the array surface) ”“ parallel direction width β (width dimension in the direction parallel to the array surface β) ”“ maximum vertical direction width α / parallel direction width β ”“ cross section An interdental cleaning tool provided with a gripping portion of “shape” was manufactured.

Using the interdental cleaning tool of Experimental Example 44 to Experimental Example 52 thus obtained, “finger pain”, “operability”, and “ease of holding” were evaluated in the same manner as in Experimental Example 29.
The results are shown in Table 6.

  As shown in Table 6, in Experimental Example 44 to Experimental Example 52 where the vertical maximum width α and the vertical maximum width α / parallel direction width β are within the scope of the present invention, all evaluations had no x and good results. It became.

In the present invention, it is possible to provide an interdental cleaning tool that allows the user to experience and visually recognize the dirt removal effect between teeth. Therefore, the continuous use intention of the interdental cleaning tool can be increased, and oral diseases can be effectively prevented.
In addition, according to the interdental cleaning tool of the present invention, it is easy to have the extending direction of the arrangement surface in which two or more bundles of fibers are arranged in a state facing the interdental, and easy to perform fine operations. The operation of inserting and removing the fiber bundle from the fiber and the operation of changing the direction of the yarn tension portion can be easily performed without feeling a muscle strain. Therefore, according to the interdental cleaning tool of the present invention, interdental cleaning can be sufficiently performed with a small burden, and oral diseases can be effectively prevented.

Claims (6)

In the interdental cleaning tool provided with an arch-like thread tension part that tensions the fiber bundle for interdental cleaning, and a grip part provided with the thread tension part at one end,
The yarn tension portion is provided with an insert in which fiber bundles of 2 bundles or more and 4 bundles or less are arranged substantially in parallel,
The distance between the centers of adjacent fiber bundles is 0.6 to 1.0 mm,
Each fiber bundle has a fineness of 400 to 700 dtex,
The total fineness of the fiber bundles of 2 bundles or more and 4 bundles or less is 1200 to 2000 dtex,
Each of the fiber bundles is deformed by being inserted between teeth, partly in contact with other fiber bundles, restored by being taken out between the teeth, and separated from each other,
The holding part is formed in a vertical direction with respect to the arrangement surface in which the fiber bundles of 2 bundles or more and 4 bundles or less are arranged, thereby forming a support surface to which a user's finger is attached,
An interdental cleaning tool in which a dirt film containing plaque is formed between adjacent fiber bundles by inserting and removing the insert between teeth to which plaque adheres. The insert consists of three bundles of the fiber bundles,
The distance between the centers of the innermost fiber bundle of the yarn tension portion and the adjacent fiber bundle is equal to the distance between the centers of the outermost fiber bundle of the yarn tension portion and the adjacent fiber bundle. It is the above, The interdental cleaning tool of Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The gripping portion is such that α / β, which is a value obtained by dividing a maximum width dimension α in a direction perpendicular to the array plane by a width dimension β in a direction parallel to the array plane, is 1 to 9.5. The interdental cleaning tool according to claim 1, wherein the interdental cleaning tool is characterized by the following.   The interdental cleaning tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the grip portion has a maximum width dimension α in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement surface in a range of 5 mm to 15 mm.   The interdental cleaning tool according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a length of the grip portion is 70 mm or more.   The interdental cleaning tool according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the grip portion is substantially rectangular, substantially hexagonal, or substantially elliptical.