Betal chewing and caries experience in New Guinea.
The prevalence of dental caries and variables relating to the betel-chewing habit were examined in a sample of 301 rural New Guineans aged 12--24 years. Consistent inverse associations were demonstrated between caries experience and the intensity of betel chewing for individuals and aggregates of subjects. The results indicate that betel chewing confers a degree of protection against caries.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001114:Areca; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009512:New Guinea; D010946:Plants, Medicinal