The back teeth, or molars, are the last to be brushed and have the most food debris left behind between them. For proper oral health, it’s essential to floss your back teeth at least once per day, but many people do not floss their molars at all! To help you avoid this issue, we’ve created this step-by-step guide to show you how to floss back teeth properly.
1. Start with the right equipment
Ideally, you’ll want to use dental floss that’s at least 12 inches long and waxed (not unwaxed). The longer your floss, and the waxier it is, the more effectively you can get in between your teeth. If you’re struggling with dexterity issues that make flossing difficult, try a floss threader—it helps by guiding an unwaxed floss through your teeth. In short: Just buy it.
2. Get a good grip on your floss
While it may not look like much, floss is an indispensable tool for keeping your mouth clean and healthy. If you’re not quite sure how to use it properly, there are a few simple rules you should follow. First of all, some types of floss have little loops on either end that act as a finger-grip so you can easily wrap it around each tooth; these kinds of flosses tend to be easier for beginners to use. Secondly, make sure you buy waxed or unwaxed floss—it doesn’t matter which one you choose, but if you want to get into using dental floss regularly, waxed is probably better because it slides between teeth more easily than unwaxed. And finally, always keep your fingers close together when wrapping floss around them (but not too close together), and don’t forget to brush up against both sides of every tooth!
3. Aim for the gumline
While we’re all guilty of skimping on floss in between our teeth, it’s back teeth that often go neglected. But brushing and flossing your molars is just as important as keeping your front pearly whites clean. Make sure you go right up to your gumline on both sides and use one piece of floss per tooth; leave a little bit of room between each tooth so you don’t irritate them. When done correctly, you should be able to feel a slight tugging sensation when you pull floss out from between your teeth. If not, try again!
4. Don’t forget your fangs
It’s easy to brush, rinse, and forget about that little strip of pearly whites along your back molars. A lack of oral care in that area can result in cavities or periodontal disease, though—so don’t neglect your fangs! As a rule of thumb, if you see it, brush it. That means flossing those hard-to-reach areas at least once per day. You may also want to consider using a water flosser or interdental brushes (also known as flossers) for additional cleaning power.
