Betel Quid and Oral Phenomenon: Current Review

Purpose of Review: Betel quid chewing (BQC) is a traditional custom of masticating and spitting out a mixture of areca nut, betel leaves, and additives that is widely practiced particularly in South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Asia-Pacific region, and East Africa for centuries. This paper aims to present a current review of the oral phenomenon of BQC, alongside a view that contributes to our knowledge and a starting point for further research. Recent Findings: Several research indicate that BQC relates to oral malignancies, periodontal disorders, oral microbiome alterations, and other dentomaxillofacial disorders, as well as affecting general health. However, the findings are still indeterminate because of the vast variation in betel quid preparations, leading to a challenging determination of the exact effect of BQC and its mechanisms. Arecoline triggers a major detrimental effect while catechin and tannin contained in Piper betel act to neutralize the detrimental as well as carioprotective effect. Interesting