The back surfaces of teeth, particularly the posterior molars and the lingual (tongue-facing) side of the lower front teeth, are the most frequently missed areas during routine oral hygiene. These complex surfaces and tight spaces often harbor bacterial plaque, which can lead to decay and gum disease. Achieving a thorough clean in these hard-to-reach zones requires specific techniques and, in some cases, specialized equipment. Understanding how to properly address the hidden contours of your mouth is important for maintaining long-term dental health.
Brushing Techniques for Rear Surfaces
Effective brushing of the back and inner surfaces of teeth requires modifying standard techniques. The modified Bass technique is widely recommended, involving positioning soft bristles at a 45-degree angle toward the gumline. This angle allows the bristles to gently enter the sulcus, the small pocket between the tooth and gum, where plaque accumulates.
To clean the chewing surfaces and the back side of the molars, use short, gentle, back-and-forth strokes, focusing on one or two teeth at a time. The last tooth in each arch, especially the distal surface, requires extra attention; try opening your mouth slightly wider or moving your jaw to the side to create more room for the brush head. For the lingual surfaces of the lower front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and use up-and-down strokes with the heel or toe of the brush head.
Proper interdental cleaning is equally important for rear areas, making the C-shape flossing technique most effective. Once the floss is guided between two teeth, curve it into a “C” shape around the side of one tooth. Slide it gently beneath the gumline until slight resistance is felt, allowing the floss to hug the rounded surface of the tooth.
Work the floss with smooth up-and-down motions, scraping the side of the tooth multiple times before repeating the C-shape on the adjacent tooth surface. This method is crucial for molars, which are prone to interdental plaque accumulation due to their large surface areas. Using a new, clean section of floss for each space prevents the transfer of bacteria throughout the mouth.
Specialized Tools for Difficult Spots
When a standard toothbrush and traditional floss cannot adequately access every crevice, specialized tools provide necessary precision and reach. Water flossers, or oral irrigators, use a pressurized stream of water to remove food debris and loose plaque from between teeth and beneath the gumline. To maximize effectiveness on rear surfaces, place the tip at a 90-degree angle to the tooth, starting at the back molars and tracing the gumline for about two seconds per tooth.
Interdental brushes are miniature cleaning wands designed to scrub the space between teeth, which are helpful for larger gaps or beneath dental work. For the back teeth, gently curve the soft wire neck of the brush to navigate tighter angles and ensure proper access from both the cheek and tongue side. Selecting the correct brush size is important; the bristles should fit snugly without forcing the wire into the space.
The end-tuft brush, often called a single-tuft brush, offers targeted cleaning with its small, concentrated cluster of bristles. This tool is designed for the most inaccessible parts of the mouth, such as the distal surface of the last molar, which a full-sized brush head cannot reach. It is also effective for cleaning around fixed retainers, orthodontic brackets, or crowded teeth, using a gentle circular or dabbing motion.
Managing Plaque and Tartar Buildup
The sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on teeth is known as plaque, a bacterial biofilm removable through diligent daily brushing and flossing. If plaque is not removed, it begins to mineralize, a process that starts within 24 to 72 hours. Plaque hardens into a rough, porous deposit called tartar, or dental calculus.
Tartar forms most readily in areas bathed in mineral-rich saliva, such as the lingual surfaces of the lower front teeth and the buccal (cheek-facing) surfaces of the upper molars. The calcium and phosphate ions in saliva precipitate into the plaque matrix, turning the soft film into a concrete-like substance. Once this calcification occurs, the deposit cannot be removed by home care methods like brushing or flossing.
The presence of tartar creates a rough surface that attracts more plaque, accelerating the cycle of buildup and irritation to the gum tissues. Untreated tartar contributes to gingivitis and can eventually progress to periodontitis, which affects the bone supporting the teeth. The solution for removing hardened calculus is a professional dental cleaning, involving a procedure called scaling. Regular dental check-ups and scaling sessions are necessary to remove these deposits and prevent the progression of gum disease.