Efek Mengunyah Apel Fuji (Malus domestica) terhadap Laju Alir serta Kadar Kalsium dalam Saliva pada Pra-lansia dan Dewasa Muda

Abstract

Chewing food is a routine daily activity that plays an important role in the digestive process and impacts saliva production. Consuming fibrous foods, such as apples, increases saliva secretion, effectively reduces plaque due to prolonged chewing, and enhances saliva flow rate, which benefits dental and gingival health. Saliva contains electrolytes like calcium that help maintain tooth integrity and support the remineralization process. Aging is a physiological condition but is also a risk factor for diseases that reduce intrinsic capacity related to vision, hearing, taste, and daily activities. Objective: To analyse the effect of chewing Fuji Apples 32 times on the flow rate and calcium levels in saliva in Pre-Elderly and Young adults. Method: Quasi-experimental with a two-group pretest-posttest design. The sample consisted of 36 individuals divided into two groups, each group measuring the flow rate and calcium levels in saliva before and after chewing Fuji Apples 32 times. Results: There was a significant difference in saliva flow rate and calcium levels (p<0.05) after chewing Fuji Apples between the Pre-elderly and Young adult groups. However, the relationship between saliva flow rate and calcium levels after chewing Fuji Apples was not significant in both the Pre-elderly and Young adult groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: There was no significant relationship between saliva flow rate and calcium levels after chewing Fuji Apples in the Pre-elderly and Young adult groups.