Educational quality of YouTube cartoon videos on children’s tooth brushing: a cross-sectional content analysis

Background YouTube is one of the most widely accessed digital platforms for health-related information, particularly among children exposed to animated content. However, the educational quality of cartoon-based videos on children’s tooth brushing remains uncertain. This study evaluated the educational value and content characteristics of YouTube cartoon videos related to children’s tooth brushing. Methods A cross-sectional content analysis was conducted on the first 200 videos retrieved on December 28, 2025, using the keywords “children,” “tooth brushing,” and “cartoon.” After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 109 videos were included. Educational quality was assessed using previously published criteria and categorized into four levels. Inter-rater reliability was calculated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Associations between educational score and video characteristics were examined using Spearman correlation and ordinal logistic regression. Results Most videos were classified as slightly useful, and only one video (0.9%) was categorized as highly useful. The mean educational score was 2.04 ± 1.37. Tooth brushing demonstrations and daily brushing frequency were commonly presented; however, essential preventive topics such as appropriate toothpaste amount, parental supervision, floss use, and recommended starting age were frequently absent. Inter-rater reliability was good (ICC = 0.76). A weak but significant negative correlation was observed between video duration and educational score ( r = − 0.195, p = 0.042). Ordinal logistic regression showed that longer video duration was independently associated with lower odds of higher educational quality (OR = 0.33, 95% CI [0.11–0.99], p = 0.048). No significant associations were found between educational score and views, likes, interaction index, or upload duration. Cartoon-based YouTube videos on children’s tooth brushing demonstrate limited educational quality despite high accessibility. Popularity metrics do not reflect educational value, underscoring the need for evidence-based, structured digital oral health content for children.