(1) Common hazards:
Chewing betel nut will not only make teeth blacken, wear and tear, shake and gum atrophy, but also cause periodontal disease, oral submucosal fibrosis and oral leukoplakia, and also lead to oral cancer. According to the survey, 88% patients with oral cancer have the habit of chewing betel nut.
(2) Serious health hazards:
1. Precancerous lesions induced by areca catechu:
(1) Oral submucosal fibrosis: It is common in buccal mucosa, followed by jaw area. The oral mucosa will have burning sensation, ulcer and whitening, which will eventually lead to difficulty in opening mouth and swallowing. Some patients with oral submucosal fibrosis will become oral cancer.
(2) Oral leukoplakia: common in buccal mucosa, tongue, floor of mouth and lip angle. Mucosal leukoplakia will gradually change from innocence to mixed white, and some patients with leukoplakia will become oral cancer.
2. Oral cancer:
(1) Areca catechu, commonly known as Jingzi, is carcinogenic. The added "lime" helps to fight cancer.