Wisdom teeth, officially known as third molars, are the final set of teeth to emerge, typically appearing between the late teens and early twenties. Their late arrival at the very back of the jaw often means there is limited space for them to fully erupt. This cramped position makes maintaining proper oral hygiene, particularly flossing, challenging using conventional methods. Neglecting these areas allows plaque and bacteria to accumulate, significantly raising the risk of infection and decay. Mastering a specialized cleaning technique is necessary for preserving the health of these rearmost molars and the surrounding gum tissue.
Why Flossing the Back is Difficult
The primary difficulty in cleaning wisdom teeth is anatomical, stemming from their posterior position in the mouth. The curvature of the jaw and limited space for jaw opening restrict the maneuvering room for fingers and standard dental floss. Reduced visibility further complicates the process, making it difficult to confirm the floss is reaching the correct surfaces.
A common complication arises when a wisdom tooth is only partially erupted, leaving a flap of gum tissue called an operculum covering part of the crown. This gum flap creates a sheltered pocket where food debris and bacteria become easily trapped. If this pocket is not cleaned effectively, it can lead to pericoronitis, a painful infection characterized by inflammation, swelling, and sometimes pus formation. The inability to adequately clean beneath this tissue layer is a direct pathway to infection.
Specialized Tools for Hard-to-Reach Areas
Overcoming the physical barriers of the posterior mouth requires specialized dental instruments. A water flosser is a highly effective tool, using a pulsed stream of pressurized water to dislodge plaque and food particles. The pulsating water jet can reach up to 90 percent of the depth of periodontal pockets, making it useful for cleaning the space behind the last molar and under gum flaps. Users can adjust the pressure setting to ensure a comfortable yet thorough clean, especially around sensitive or partially erupted areas.
Another necessary aid is the floss threader, a small, flexible plastic loop designed to guide traditional dental floss. The threader allows a strand of floss to be passed beneath the gum line or through contact points too tight for standard finger manipulation. This is especially helpful when cleaning the interdental space between the second molar and the wisdom tooth, or when the third molar is tightly angled against the adjacent tooth. The threader enables a manual, targeted cleaning action by making the floss manageable in the tightest corners of the mouth.
Detailed Technique for Cleaning Third Molars
Using standard floss requires first threading a 12- to 18-inch section through the loop of a floss threader. Once the threader has guided the floss into the space between the teeth, the threader is removed, and the floss is grasped with both hands. The goal is to wrap the floss around the side of the tooth in a “C” shape, then gently slide it down to the gum line and slightly beneath it. You must ensure that you curve the floss around the entire back surface of the third molar, using slow, controlled movements to scrape the surface clean.
When using a water flosser, begin by leaning over the sink to allow the water to drain from your mouth easily. Start with the lowest pressure setting and insert the nozzle tip into the mouth, aiming it toward the back teeth first. Position the tip at a 90-degree angle to the tooth surface, directing the water stream at the junction where the tooth meets the gum. Move slowly along the gum line, pausing briefly for two seconds on the area behind the last molar to allow the pulse to flush out any trapped debris.