Knowledge about cariogenicity and the influence of the internet and social media on the oral health habits of adolescentes

Authors

  • Natália Fonzar Santana Oliveira Mestranda, Programa de Pós- Graduação em Saúde Coletiva em Odontologia, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Faculdade de Odontologia de Araçatuba, 16015-050 Araçatuba – SP, Brasil
  • Tânia Adas Saliba Professora Titular, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva em Odontologia, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Faculdade de Odontologia de Araçatuba, 16015-050 Araçatuba – SP, Brasil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1327-2913
  • Suzely Adas Saliba Moimaz Professora Titular, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva em Odontologia, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Faculdade de Odontologia de Araçatuba, 16015-050 Araçatuba – SP, Brasil
  • Fernando Yamamoto Chiba Professor Assistente Doutor, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva em Odontologia, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Faculdade de Odontologia de Araçatuba, 16015-050 Araçatuba – SP, Brasil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4406-405X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21270/archi.v15i6.6797

Keywords:

Adolescent, Oral Health, Internet, Social Media

Abstract

Objective: To investigate knowledge about cariogenicity, the influence of the internet and social media on oral health habits, sugar consumption, and oral health care at school among adolescents. Methodology: Observational, cross-sectional, quantitative, and descriptive study conducted with adolescents aged 15 to 17 years enrolled in public schools. Data were collected through interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. Results: Of the 98 adolescents, 55.10% consumed sugars at school, mainly soft drinks, processed juices, candies, and chewing gum, acquired at the school canteen (46.30%). 62.24% of adolescents reported a place available to brush their teeth at school; however, 93.88% did not brush their teeth, and 57.14% considered that there was no time available. Most adolescents demonstrated knowledge about the cariogenicity of foods in relation to the amount of sugar (97.96%), consistency (87.76%), type of sugar (95.92%), and frequency of ingestion (85.71%). However, 56.12% answered incorrectly about the cariogenicity of foods in relation to resistance to chewing. 64.29% of adolescents received guidance on the cariogenicity of foods, with 61.90% through school; 65.31% received information about oral health via the internet, and 45.92% reported the influence of the internet on their oral health habits. Conclusion: Adolescents demonstrated satisfactory knowledge regarding the cariogenicity of foods; however, there was high sugar consumption and deficiencies in oral hygiene practices in the school environment. A large proportion of adolescents received information about oral health via the internet and have their oral health habits influenced by social media.

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Published

2026-06-30

How to Cite

Oliveira, N. F. S., Saliba, T. A., Moimaz, S. A. S., & Chiba, F. Y. (2026). Knowledge about cariogenicity and the influence of the internet and social media on the oral health habits of adolescentes. ARCHIVES OF HEALTH INVESTIGATION, 15(6), e6797. https://doi.org/10.21270/archi.v15i6.6797

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 6 (2026)

Section

Original Articles