Effectively flossing your back teeth, also known as molars, requires specific techniques to navigate their location and shape. One common approach involves opening your mouth wide and using your index fingers to guide the floss for better reach and control around these challenging areas.
Why Flossing Back Teeth is Important
Back teeth have larger chewing surfaces and often more complex shapes with multiple roots, making them particularly prone to trapping food particles and plaque. Neglecting to floss these areas can increase the risk of cavities and gum disease. Master the technique to ensure comprehensive cleaning.
Technique for Flossing Your Molars
Reaching the back teeth can feel awkward, but specific methods make it easier. Based on practical insights, including the suggestion of using index fingers for reach, here's a breakdown of how to floss your back molars effectively:
Preparing Your Floss
- Cut enough floss: Start with about 18 inches of floss. This gives you plenty to work with and ensures you can use a clean section for each tooth.
- Wrap the floss: Wrap most of the floss around the middle fingers of both hands. Leave about 1-2 inches of floss taut between your fingers to work with.
Reaching and Cleaning Your Molars
Getting to those back teeth requires deliberate movement and control.
- Open Wide: As highlighted in tips for flossing molars, opening your mouth wide provides the necessary space to maneuver your fingers and the floss comfortably towards the back of your mouth.
- Using Your Fingers for Guidance: Use your index fingers (as recommended by some for ease) or thumbs and index fingers to carefully guide the working section of floss towards your back molars.
- Gentle Insertion: Gently slide the floss between the two back teeth. Be careful not to snap it down, as this can injure your gums. Use a back-and-forth or seesawing motion if needed to ease it through tight spots.
- Clean the Sides: Once the floss is between the teeth, curve it into a "C" shape against one side of the tooth. Slide it gently up and down, moving from just below the gum line to the top of the tooth. Repeat this on the side of the other tooth.
- Get Around the Molar: Pay special attention to wrapping the floss around the back surface of the very last molar in each corner of your mouth, as this area is often missed.
- Advance the Floss: As you move to the next space, unwind a fresh section of floss from one finger and wind the used section onto the other.
Tips for Successful Back Teeth Flossing
- Practice Makes Perfect: It might feel awkward at first, but regular practice will improve your technique and make reaching back teeth easier.
- Consider Different Tools: If traditional floss is difficult, explore options like floss picks, interdental brushes, or water flossers, which can sometimes offer better access to the back of the mouth.
- Be Gentle: Aggressive flossing can harm your gums. Use a gentle touch but be thorough.
- Focus on Each Tooth: Remember to clean both sides of every tooth, including the back surface of the last molars.
By employing techniques such as opening wide and using your index fingers for control, you can effectively reach and clean your back teeth, maintaining better oral hygiene.
