UNAIR NEWS – Do you know that doing exercise affects oral health. Indeed, it is not the only determining factor. However, regular exercise, adjusted to the age, can determine one’s oral health.
It was based on research from lecturers and researchers of the Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Aqsa Sjuhada Oki, drg, M.Kes, and his team.
All this time, according to Aqsa, there is a widespread assumption in the community that the longer and more often someone doing exercise, the better the body. However, it is not like that. Good practice, according to him is done appropriately with the right dose, and the age of the person significantly affects the dose.
“The older a person, the less exercise they should do because the older a person, the less heart rate they have, so should not do exercise too hard, “said Aqsa.
For example, in aerobic exercise, the intensity of exercise three to five times a week is enough to maintain general health, as well as oral and dental health.
In his research, besides affecting overall oral and dental health, doing exercise also minimizes a person’s risk of developing oral cavity cancer.
Indeed, he continued, doing exercise is not the only determinant of oral and dental health, but it is one of the influential factors. Other factors that are no less important include how a person treats their teeth and mouth, how they brush their teeth, their eating patterns, and lifestyle.
“Don’t make conclusion that as long as we do exercise, we will have good dental health,” he stressed.
As a follow-up of the research, Aqsa and the team conducted community service activities in Semarang Regency on 7-8 August. Around 200 Dharma Wanita Semarang members attended the community service.
In this community service, mothers were given an understanding of the importance of doing exercise and maintaining oral health. At the end of the event, a post-test was conducted to survey their understanding.
“The post-test shows differences in knowledge and behavior before and after training. The Dharma Wanita members know more about the benefits of doing exercise and oral and dental health, “said Aqsa, the head of community service in Semarang Regency.
Semarang Regency was chosen for community service as FKG UNAIR has been running their community outreach program for two years now. There is also a plan for other programs in the same region with different topics next year. (*)
Author: Binti Q. Masruroh
