title: Betel nut chewing and its deleterious effects on oral cavity.
abstract: The habit of chewing betel nut has a long history of use. Betel nut and products derived from it are widely used as a masticatory product among various communities and in several countries across the world. Over a long period, several additives have been added to a simple betel nut preparation; thus, creating the betel quid (BQ) and encompassing chewing tobacco in the preparation. Betel nut has deleterious effects on oral soft tissues. Its effects on dental caries and periodontal diseases, two major oral diseases are less well-documented. Betel-induced lichenoid lesions mainly on buccal mucosa have been reported at quid retained sites. In chronic chewers, a condition called betel chewers mucosa is often found where the quid is placed. Betel nut chewing is implicated in oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) and its use along with tobacco can cause leukoplakia, both of which are potentially malignant in the oral cavity. Oral cancer often arises from such precancerous changes. Thus, public health measures to quit betel use are recommended to control disabling conditions such as OSF and oral cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Dentistry, I.T.S Dental College, Hospital and Research Centre, Greater Noida, India.
authors.forename: Richa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Anand
authors.forename: Chandan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dhingra
authors.forename: Sumanth
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Prasad
authors.forename: Ipseeta
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Menon
mesh_terms: D005247:Feeding Behavior; D006801:Humans; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D009754:Nuts / Q000009:adverse effects*; D031721:Piper betle / Q000009:adverse effects*