부산대학교 도서관

The present invention relates to a dental implement such as tongue scraper that is disposable and is adapted for prophylactic and/or therapeutic action for the oral cavity. The dental implement may include a tongue scraper, a dental floss, a toothpick, a toothbrush or combinations thereof. The dental implement may include a strip having a longitudinal dimension that is longer than its traverse dimension. The strip may be coated with a coating of a mixture including at least one medicament and a water soluble or erodible carrier. In one embodiment, the coating may be present on at least one of the longitudinal edges, for example, of a tongue scraper, toothpick or a dental floss. In another embodiment, the coating may be present on at least one of the traverse edges, for example, of a tooth pick or the bristles of a toothbrush. In a further embodiment, the coating may be present on a combination of edges. The integrity of the implement, such as a scraper and/or its edge or edges may be reinforced by the coating of substance or agent for sufficient integrity, and the scraper or its edge and/or the coating, for example, are adapted to degrade or break down as the substance or agent are released during use and/or upon contact with water and/or saliva. The dental implement may be exposed for use, and is appropriately stored prior to use.