An in-depth guide to the most advanced hygiene for your back teeth.

For most people, the back teeth are much more challenging to take care of, compared to front teeth:

• Back teeth are harder to reach with regular (and even electric) brushes.
• Wisdom teeth can be slightly rotated or misaligned, which makes them more vulnerable to tooth decay. In some cases, they can even damage surrounding teeth.

As a result, back teeth are often overlooked which can then cause long-term problems. The solution is simple: we have to pay special attention to the back teeth. This includes using specialised brushing aids, like a single brush and regular check-ups with a dental professional.

Reaching the back teeth

Reaching the back teeth can be harder because of the teeths positioning and the shape of conventional toothbrushes. As a result, even with everyday brushing, parts of your back teeth will be neglected. And since you can’t always reach those parts even with your tongue, it’s hard to know whether you brushed something or not.

For maximum reach and accuracy in brushing, consider specialised precision brushes – for example, the single brush CURAPROX CS 1006. It has a miniature head packed with ultrasoft bristles at high density. This allows you to brush in smaller, harder-to-reach areas with higher precision and efficiency.

The CS 1006 uses an ergonomic angular handle specifically designed to reach inner and outer sides of back teeth.

Using a single brush can be a powerful addition to your brushing ritual, alongside the regular soft brushes and the interdental brushes. If you use the Hydrosonic system, you can also use a single attachment that matches the shape and the size of the CS 1006. The single attachment is also part of the Hydrosonic PRO system.

How to use a single brush

For this routine, toothpaste is not necessary, but you can still use it if you wish.

1. Start with the outside of the tooth’s surface. Hold your CS Single upright and carefully position the tuft head on the gum line.
2. Move the brush with gentle, vibrating or small circular movements along the gum line, from one side of the tooth to the other.
3. Once you have cleaned the outside tooth surface, remember to clean the inside in the same way. With CS Single you can easily reach the back surfaces of the wisdom teeth.  
4. Finally, cover the chewing surfaces of your teeth. If you experience a painful sensation while brushing, it could be a sign of a cavity that needs to be addressed with your dentist.

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Regular check-ups

Despite the efficiency of the single brush, some areas of your teeth can still be overlooked, so it’s a good idea to check with your dentist about the condition of your molars and wisdom teeth. Here is what to look out for:

• Increased buildup of tooth plaque, which can require professional cleaning
• Early stages of gum disease or gum inflammation, which can be relieved by interdental brushing and a more thorough cleaning routine
• Condition of your wisdom teeth

When you come to your dentist for treatment, sometimes your priorities are to avoid any pain and keep your billing to the minimum. For example, if your tooth is already in pain, you will schedule an appointment and have it fixed. But tooth plaques in themselves don’t cause any pain, so in many cases both patients and dentists ignore them. Make sure you ask your dentist about your back teeth and take the recommended course of action.

Prophylaxis and prevention are always cheaper and more efficient than curing and fixing. Make sure you ask your dentist about the condition of your back teeth, and follow their advice thoroughly, even if you feel like you don’t need thorough tooth care at the moment. It’s always better to prevent than to cure.

Wisdom teeth

Wisdom teeth are the last to emerge, and often, they create problems: they can be misaligned, rotated or have placement that is favoured by bacteria. We strongly advise that you follow your dentist’s recommendation on whether wisdom teeth need to be removed.

Dentists can use x-ray imaging to determine whether your wisdom teeth pose any danger to the rest of your teeth and gums. Very often, these problems can be seen months and even years before the condition becomes critical. And, at that stage, a patient can decide to treat the wisdom tooth while it’s still early.

However, bear in mind the complications that you can have if the treatment of wisdom teeth is not performed on time. A wisdom tooth that grows out of place can cause inflammation, infection and even damage to neighbouring teeth, gums and the bone. So, whenever possible, address any issues with your wisdom teeth before it’s too late.

The procedures with wisdom teeth are very well studied and documented, there are tools and techniques to efficiently address any possible complications, so there is nothing to worry about.

Summing up

• Ask your dentist about the condition of your back teeth. Make sure you address this issue next time you visit.
• Use the single brush while brushing your back teeth, for better reach and efficiency. This will keep your back teeth healthier, for longer.
• If your dentist recommends removing the wisdom teeth, go through with the procedure. An untreated wisdom tooth can cause much more damage than the discomfort you’ll experience while removing it.