Text message reminders help teens brush their teeth

Text message reminders can help to improve tooth brushing habits in teenagers, particularly those from low-income families, a new study has shown.

Researchers from Cardiff University and the Universities of Sheffield, Leeds, York and Dundee, have collaborated to investigate the effectiveness of a new programme designed to encourage better brushing habits and reduce tooth decay in secondary school pupils.

The BRIGHT trial examined the effect of twice-daily text message reminders for toothbrushing on 4,680 students between the ages of 11 and 13, spanning 42 schools across England, Scotland and Wales. The researchers tracked the trial’s impact over two and a half years.

Professor Zoe Marshman, from the University of Sheffield’s School of Clinical Dentistry, who co-led the BRIGHT trial, said: “Tooth decay and all its negative consequences such as toothache, loss of sleep and problems eating are very common in children of secondary school age. While school-based initiatives for children between the ages of 4-11 have been delivered for decades, there is very little for secondary schools.

“However, this is a critical stage for toothbrushing practices to become an established behaviour for adulthood. This is why it is vital to help young people to improve their understanding of the importance of toothbrushing and skills to prevent tooth decay.”

The study showed that text message reminders had a positive effect on brushing habits six months later, showing particular benefit for students from low-income families - as the analysis found some evidence of prevention of tooth decay for these students.

“This showed that a simple intervention could positively impact the brushing habits for teenagers in the UK, which is especially important for students in low-income households," said Professor Innes.

Further research will be needed to better understand the factors that influence oral health habits in teenagers, particularly sugar consumption. The researchers will now use these results to find better ways to help secondary school pupils keep their teeth healthy.

The research, Behaviour change intervention (education and text) to prevent dental caries in secondary school pupils: BRIGHT RCT, process and economic evaluation, was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and published in the journal of Health Technology Assessment.