Effect of physical activity on oral health: A systematic review

Abstract

Background: Although there is remarkable evidence in the literature that there is an association between physical activity and general health, the possible influence of physical activity on oral health outcomes has not been well documented. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of physical activity on oral health. Methodology: An aggregate of 112 studies has been retrieved from PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Turning Research Into Practice databases from 2001 to 2020, of which 14 observational studies have been integrated into this systematic review. Results: Among the included studies, four studies have reported an association between periodontal disease and regular physical activity. Four studies reported an association between oral health behavior and physical activity. Two studies found an association between physical activity and dental caries. Conclusion: The findings from the present systematic review revealed an association between oral health, oral health behaviors, and individuals practicing physical activity. It was observed that there were reduced inflammatory biomarkers in physically active individuals, which in turn was related to improved periodontal health. As this review only looked at studies that were based on observations, more studies were suggested to see if there was a possible cause-and-effect relationship between each condition.