The front of your teeth is visible all of the time when you smile. They represent your best calling card. While you may think about the front of your teeth every time you brush them, do you think about the back or rear of your teeth right behind that smile? You need to consider brushing the rear of your teeth, which are just as important as your front teeth. Here is some information about brushing the back of your teeth.
Why Do I Need To Worry About Brushing My Rear Teeth?
You may think that brushing behind your teeth is not that big of a deal, but you should know that the backs of your teeth tend to get more cavities than the front side. The side you are most likely to brush well is the front side of your teeth. In fact, the teeth least likely to get a cavity are your topmost teeth, in the middle of the Social Six, which are the top six teeth that are the most visible. Your front teeth are least likely to get cavities because they are smooth-sided.
In contrast, the rear of your teeth is more likely to get cavities, especially the back of your molars, which are your very back teeth. Your molars are the largest teeth in your body, and they have grooves and pits as well as an uneven biting surface. Molars are hard to reach with a toothbrush.
Also, if you have severe tartar, which can indicate both tooth decay and gum disease, it is more likely to be on the back of your teeth. The rear of your teeth is more difficult to brush because of the way people hold their toothbrushes to brush their teeth.
Brushing the Backs of Your Teeth
To brush your teeth correctly, move your toothbrush toward the back of your mouth and hold it between a 45-degree and a 90-degree angle. Then, move in circles around your teeth. How do you make sure you are brushing the backs of your teeth? Call our office today to schedule a visit.
