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Objective: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) may develop, especially among girls, during the adolescence period. The aim of this study was to study if information and advice in a school setting could prevent development of TMD symptoms and headaches during the early teenage period. Methods: Thirteen‐year‐old girls, at 19 upper elementary schools were invited to participate in a study with structured information about the jaw system, TMD symptoms and risk factors, as well as advice how to manage risk factor and TMD. Six hundred and fifty‐one girls enrolled, of which 507 girls were followed for 2–2.5 years. Half received information on three occasions (cases), and the other half served as controls. Included in the analysis of incidence of TMD symptoms were those without frequently occurring TMD symptoms (not including headaches) at baseline (n = 396) and included in the analysis of incidence of headaches were those without frequent headaches at baseline (n = 297). Result: The 2‐year incidence of TMD symptoms was significantly lower in the information cohort (19%) compared to the controls (28%) (p =.03). The 2‐year incidence of headaches was lower among those who were allocated to information (30%) compared to controls (40%), but the difference was not statistically significant (p =.099). Cases who had headaches at baseline reported a significantly lower prevalence at follow‐up compared to controls (p =.03). Conclusion: Standardized information in school settings can prevent development of TMD symptoms and headaches among young girls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objective: Many adolescents, especially girls, report temporomandibular disorder (TMD) symptoms that may impact their daily life., Methods: At 19 different schools participating in the preventive program with dental nurses of FRAMM (Fluoride, Advise, Arena, Motivation, Food), at the Västra Götaland Region in Sweden, 15-year-old girls were invited to a cohort study about symptoms of TMD that also included headaches. Three hundred twenty-nine girls attended the study and answered a questionnaire regarding TMD symptoms and their consequences such as sick leave from school and consumption of analgesics. The girls were asked about the symptom's influence on their daily life, about their general health, use of regular medication, physical activity, and they answered the PHQ4 regarding experienced symptoms of anxiety and depression., Results: There was a significant correlation between TMD symptoms and sick leave with 31% of the girls having stayed home due to symptoms. Of the girls who answered affirmative in the screening questions (3QTMD), nearly half the group had stayed at home due to their symptoms, 24% had consulted a physician, 42% had used analgesics weekly and 59% reported that they felt the symptoms negatively affected their school performance. The girls who had regular medication had more TMD symptoms. Anxiety and depression were associated with TMD symptoms., Conclusion: The study showed that TMD symptoms had a negative impact on the 15-year-old girls' daily life resulting in sick leave from school, consumption of analgesics, and experiences of negative impacts on their behavior and performance at school.