The more sugary drinks Scots youngsters consume, the less likely they are to brush their teeth. Similarly, girls and boys who eat more fruit and vegetable are more likely to brush their teeth.

These are the latest findings to come out of the Scottish Health Behaviour in School-aged Children Study. The survey, which questions youngsters aged 11, 13 and 15 is carried out once every four years, also found:

- almost three-quarters (72 per cent) of young people surveyed in Scotland reported brushing their teeth at least twice a day. Girls were more likely than boys to brush their teeth this often - 80 per cent compared with 65 per cent respectively;

- between 1990 and 2006, there was a steady increase in the proportion of children brushing their teeth at least twice daily;

- young people who live in affluent families have a higher frequency of twice-daily tooth brushing;

- living with both parents was associated with a higher frequency of twice-daily tooth-brushing for boys; however, family circumstances do not appear to impact on girls.