Chewing betel nut "chews" oral cancer?

A large number of epidemiological surveys at home and abroad show that the higher the frequency of chewing betel nut, the higher the incidence of oral cancer. India is the country with the largest consumption of betel nut in the world and the highest incidence of oral cancer. The incidence of oral cancer in betel nut-rich areas in China, such as Hunan, Hainan and Taiwan Province provinces, is also significantly higher than that in other provinces. It can be seen that chewing betel nut for a long time may really lead to oral cancer. Why? Chewing betel nut for a long time may lead to oral cancer, but what harm does it do to human body? Let's have a look.

Why chewing betel nut for a long time may lead to oral cancer? The specific reasons are as follows:

1. Physical injury caused by chewing betel nut. The fiber of betel nut is relatively thick and hard. When chewing betel nut, its thick and hard fibers will scratch the oral mucosa and stab the gums. Over time, it is easy to form chronic injury, cause mucosal lesions, induce inflammation and even cause oral cancer.

2. Various additives will be added during the processing of betel nut. Many areca nuts will be added with various additives during processing, which is complicated and will bring in many harmful ingredients. Eating too much can easily lead to oral mucosal fibrosis.

3. The alkaloid contained in betel nut is "toxic". The chemical composition in betel nut is the main cause of cancer. Areca catechu contains a lot of polyphenols and alkaloids, among which arecoline is the most important component, accounting for about 1% of the dry areca catechu. Arecoline can obviously promote epithelial cell apoptosis and interfere with the precipitation and degradation of extracellular matrix macromolecules (collagen, elastin, etc.). ).

4. Betel nut and tobacco "combine" to cause cancer. Chewing betel nut alone will obviously promote the occurrence of oral cancer, while betel nut lovers who smoke at the same time have a higher probability of developing oral cancer. Studies have shown that when chewing betel nut containing tobacco, the toxic substances in saliva will increase obviously, which will obviously destroy the process of DNA synthesis in cells.

Chewing betel nut for a long time may lead to oral cancer, but it may also have the following three effects on the human body:

Effects of 1. on teeth and periodontal tissue. Long-term eat areca, teeth will turn yellow and black; The fiber of betel nut is thick and hard, which is easy to stab gums or block teeth, causing inflammation, edema and pain around the root until the teeth fall off or are pulled out.

2. Influence on temporomandibular joint. Occlusal changes caused by the wear of teeth and temporomandibular joint surface lead to sound and joint pain when opening and closing.

3. Effect on digestive system. Chewing betel nut will damage the taste nerve, affect saliva secretion and hinder digestive function. In addition, areca nut residue will stimulate the stomach wall, leading to inflammation and even perforation of gastric mucosa, affecting nutrient absorption.

Lv Bin, deputy chief physician of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine, Stomatology Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University, conducted a scientific check.