Sending text message reminders to teenagers could improve their brushing habits, according to a trial.
However, more brushing did not address levels of tooth decay, with researchers calling for secondary school students to be better educated about oral health.
For the study, known as the Bright trial, experts from the universities of Sheffield, Cardiff, Leeds, York and Dundee checked the teeth of 4,680 children aged 11 to 13 from 42 schools.
The analysis included 2,383 students, half of whom had a 50-minute lesson with their teacher about oral health, along with twice-daily text messages about brushing their teeth.
The researchers found that the measures had a positive impact on the youngsters’ tooth-brushing behavior after six months, but did not reduce the number of cavities or the levels of cavities.
However, there was evidence that the lesson and texting could be beneficial for students from low-income families, according to researchers.
Professor Zoe Marshman, from the University of Sheffield’s School of Clinical Dentistry, co-led the Bright trial.
He said: “Students who received the lesson and text messages reported brushing their teeth more often after six months, but had no less tooth decay or plaque after two and a half years.
“Students eligible for free school meals, however, may have benefited more than others suggesting that the program can reduce inequalities in oral health.”
In February, figures from the Office for Health Improvement and Inequalities (OHID) revealed that last year 47,581 teeth were extracted in NHS hospitals in England for patients aged 0 to 19.
Around 66% of exports – or 31,165 – were for the primary diagnosis of tooth decay, a 17% increase on the previous 12 months.
Tooth decay remains the most common cause of admission to hospital for young people aged five to nine.
Last year, hospital admissions for children’s tooth extractions cost NHS hospitals £64.3 million, with tooth decay-related extractions costing £40.7 million.
Professor Marshman added: “Tooth decay and all its negative consequences, such as toothache, sleep loss and eating problems, are very common in secondary school children.
“While school-based initiatives for 4-11 year olds have been delivered for decades, there are very few initiatives for secondary schools.
“However, this is a critical stage for tooth brushing practices to become established behavior for adulthood.
“That’s why it’s vital that we help young people improve their understanding of the importance of brushing their teeth and their skills to prevent tooth decay.”
Eddie Crouch, president of the British Dental Association, said: “Wear and deprivation go hand in hand and innovative work like this can help turn the dial.
“Ministers say they want to move from treatment to prevention and dentistry is uniquely placed to fulfill that ambition.
“Closing the oral health gap means restoring access to care and implementing proven prevention programs.”
James Colliver, head teacher at Outwood Academy City in Sheffield, which took part in the Bright trial, said: “We have a lot of students who are losing their teeth so I felt it was worth it.
“One of the girls, aged 12, who was in the class told me that she had already had eight teeth removed, so I felt that this was very important.”
The Bright trial is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and the study findings have been published in the journal Health Technology Assessment.
