From Gutkha To Gum Cancer: How Everyday Chewing Habits Damage Teeth And Turn Cancerous

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The coverage highlights the alarming health risks associated with the widespread consumption of gutkha, khaini, pan masala, and tobacco-laced betel quid in India, noting that according to the National Oral Cancer Registry, over five people die every hour due to oral cancer. Dr Mudit Agarwal, Unit Head & Sr. Consultant, Head & Neck Oncology Unit – 2 at Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre, explains that these chewing products contain abrasive particles, nicotine, and carcinogenic chemicals that cause immediate damage such as tooth staining, enamel erosion, gum irritation, receding gums, and persistent bad breath. He emphasizes that because these substances remain in prolonged contact with oral tissues, they trigger chronic inflammation that can progress to precancerous conditions like leukoplakia, erythroplakia, and Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSMF), significantly increasing the risk of developing life-threatening oral cancer over time.

 

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