National Dental Hygiene Month: 5 Daily Habits for Healthy Teeth

October is National Dental Hygiene Month, led by the American Dental Hygienists' Association. [5] The habits that matter most are simple: brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, clean between your teeth once a day, limit how often you snack on sugar and starch, and keep up with checkups and cleanings. Mouthwash can help some people, but it's optional.

1. Brush twice a day for two minutes

Use a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste, and spend about 30 seconds on each quarter of your mouth. [1, 2] Replace your brush or brush head every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. [1] Our guide to brushing correctly walks through the technique.

2. Clean between your teeth once a day

A toothbrush doesn't reach well into the spaces between teeth, where plaque collects and where gum inflammation and cavities often start. Floss, interdental brushes and water flossers all count. A 2019 Cochrane review found that adding floss or interdental brushes to brushing may reduce gum inflammation, with interdental brushes possibly doing a little better than floss. [3] The ADA's advice is to use the method you'll actually keep doing. [2] Our post on dental myths covers the flossing debate.

3. Use mouthwash only if it helps you

Mouthwash isn't a replacement for brushing and cleaning between your teeth. A therapeutic rinse, such as one with fluoride or an antibacterial ingredient, can help some people, for example those with a high cavity risk or gum inflammation. A cosmetic rinse only freshens breath for a while. [4] Ask us whether a rinse makes sense for you. If your mouth runs dry, choose an alcohol-free one.

4. Snack less often

Every time you eat or sip something with sugar or starch, plaque bacteria make acid for a while afterward. Frequent snacking and sipping sweet drinks through the day keep your teeth under acid attack, while meals with gaps between them give saliva time to recover. Water between meals helps. Our post on foods for healthy teeth has more.

5. Keep up with checkups and cleanings

Professional cleanings remove hardened tartar that brushing can't, and exams catch cavities and gum disease while they are small and often painless. Your dentist and hygienist can tell you how often you need to come in based on your own risk.

Ready for a checkup?

Our hygiene team and I see patients at 3675 Hendricks Avenue, near San Marco. New-patient visits are about two hours, normally an hour with me and an hour in hygiene. Learn more on our new patients page, call 904-398-1549 or contact us.

Sources

1. American Dental Association, MouthHealthy. Brushing your teeth. Accessed October 6, 2026.
2. American Dental Association. Home oral care. Accessed October 6, 2026.
3. Worthington HV, MacDonald L, Poklepovic Pericic T, et al. Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling periodontal diseases and dental caries. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019;4(4):CD012018. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012018.pub2 (retrieved via PubMed)
4. American Dental Association, MouthHealthy. Mouthwash. Accessed October 6, 2026.
5. American Dental Hygienists' Association. National Dental Hygiene Month 2026. Accessed October 6, 2026.

About the author. CJ Henley, DMD, is a general dentist in Jacksonville whose practice focuses on cosmetic and restorative dentistry, dental implants and dental care around head and neck cancer. Meet Dr. Henley.
CJ Henley, DMD, PA · 3675 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32207 · 904-398-1549
Updated October 2026.

Are You Brushing Your Teeth Too Hard?

Brushing harder does not clean your teeth better. Plaque is soft and comes off with light pressure, so a soft-bristled brush and a gentle touch are enough. Signs you may be pressing too hard include bristles that splay out within a few weeks, gums that look like they are pulling back, and teeth that have become sensitive near the gumline. If your gums are receding or your teeth are sensitive, have the cause checked rather than simply changing brushes.

How should I brush without scrubbing my gums?

Use a soft-bristled brush, light pressure, and small controlled movements along the gumline. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean between teeth daily. Our step-by-step guide to brushing correctly shows the technique. Ask your dental team to watch your technique if you are unsure. A brush with visibly splayed bristles may be a reason to reassess the pressure you use.

Is brushing too hard the only cause of receding gums?

No. Gum disease, tooth position, and other factors can contribute. Recession means the gum margin has moved away from part of the tooth, sometimes exposing the root. The appearance alone does not show why it happened or which treatment is appropriate. A comprehensive dental examination can assess the gums, roots, cleaning habits, and surrounding teeth.

Can receding gums cause sensitivity?

Exposed root surfaces can be sensitive, but decay, cracks, and other problems can also cause discomfort. Our tooth-sensitivity guide explains reasons to seek an evaluation. A toothpaste chosen for your needs may help with symptoms, but it does not establish the diagnosis.

What treatments are available for gum recession?

The first step is identifying and addressing the cause. That may involve improving cleaning technique, treating gum disease, managing sensitivity, or referral to a periodontist when appropriate. A gum graft is an option in selected cases, rather than an automatic treatment for every receding gum.

Should bleeding gums be checked?

Yes, especially if bleeding persists or concerns you. Bleeding can reflect inflammation, brushing trauma, medication effects, or other factors. Do not assume the solution is harder brushing. Our diet and dental-health guide also explains why supplements do not replace a gum examination.

Get brushing advice in Jacksonville

At CJ Henley, DMD on Hendricks Avenue near San Marco, bring your brush or describe your home routine at your next visit. We can connect practical home-care advice with your examination findings. Call 904-398-1549 or contact the office if you notice new recession, bleeding, or sensitivity.

Sources

1. American Dental Association, MouthHealthy. Brushing your teeth. Accessed October 6, 2026.

2. American Dental Association, MouthHealthy. Bleeding gums.

3. American Dental Association, MouthHealthy. Gum disease.

4. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Periodontal (gum) disease. Last reviewed August 2026.

About the author. CJ Henley, DMD, is a general dentist in Jacksonville whose practice focuses on cosmetic and restorative dentistry, dental implants and dental care around head and neck cancer. Meet Dr. Henley.
CJ Henley, DMD, PA · 3675 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32207 · 904-398-1549
Updated October 2026.