If you brush and floss your teeth regularly (which we hope you do), then you know it's not child's play. Reaching and cleaning the back of the teeth is much harder compared to the front. The back teeth are expertly designed with ridges and grooves to help us chew food well, but these very ridges can also collect unwanted tiny food particles. The result? Increase in teeth bacteria and plaque.
Back teeth cavities
Plaque is a sticky white coating formed on the surface of the teeth when bacteria breaks down food particles in the mouth. Since it is difficult to reach the back of the teeth, it’s easier for plaque to form and start the damaging process. When accumulated over time, plaque can lead to back teeth cavities, decay, gum diseases, and a host of other tooth problems. Tooth decay is not an overnight process. It can take months and years for the plaque and bacteria to break down the enamel of the teeth and damage them. If neglected, the plaque can progress inward, and start damaging the nerves and pulp of the infected teeth. As the decay progresses, it can lead to symptoms such as cavities, swelling, pain, bleeding, and even tooth loss.
How quickly can plaque form?
Bacteria living in the mouth can start converting the fermented carbohydrates (sugars found in starchy, cooked foods) into plaque within 20 minutes of eating a meal. So, avoid eating sugar-loaded foods such as cakes, chocolates, and sweets after a meal as it can worsen the situation and make the teeth vulnerable to damage in these 20 minutes. Especially the back teeth because it is harder to reach there and remove the plaque. So, make sure you take immediate action and rinse the mouth well after each meal.
How to prevent back teeth decay
Back teeth cavities can be painful, and lead to gum diseases and other dental problems. Since prevention is better than cure; it is important to prevent back teeth decay. Bacteria and plaque are the culprits when it comes to tooth decay - so, it is crucial to have a proper dental health care routine in place to avoid this situation in the back teeth. Here is how to remove bacteria from teeth and prevent long-term back teeth decay -
Use an electric toothbrush:
While manual toothbrushes are effective, they may not be able to reach and clean the plaque accumulated in the back teeth. Using an electric toothbrush such as the one from Oral-B can be beneficial in loosening and rinsing away the plaque and prevent damage to the back teeth. Oral-B electric toothbrushes also allow you to adjust the pressure, so it is better for the gums at the back as well.
Rinse with medicated mouthwash:
If you want an instant bacteria-killer that also reaches the back of the mouth, try using a dental-approved, medicated mouthwash. It will remove the plaque-causing bacteria and stop its formation process even before it begins. Moreover, if it is flavoured, then it will leave a pleasant taste and smell in the mouth and take care of bad breath as well.
Floss well:
This is an important point that you shouldn’t skip if you want healthy teeth. Floss the back teeth well, because it is harder to reach this area in the mouth. If you find it too hard to do that you can consider using an electric flosser to clean the area properly.
It is important to remove the plaque from the surface of the teeth, especially the back teeth. Now that you know how to do it, make sure you only use superior-quality, dental-recommended products such as Oral-B electric toothbrushes. The advanced technology will nip tooth decay in the bud and ensure that all of your teeth, including the back teeth, remain plaque and bacteria-free.
