Consumption of gutkha, khaini, pan masala, and tobacco-laced betel quid is undeniably one of the most pressing health challenges in India. According to the National Oral Cancer Registry, “over 5 people
in India die every hour, every day because of oral cancer,” and chewing tobacco products is a well-established risk factor.
Despite this, millions of people across the country consume such products, perceiving them as harmless stimulants or “stress relievers,” often unaware of their long-term health implications.
Dr Mudit Agarwal, Unit Head & Sr. Consultant, Head & Neck Oncology Unit – 2, RGCIRC (Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre), helps us understand the silent damage this seemingly “harmless habit” inflicts on oral health, and how, over time, this damage can progress into life-threatening oral cancer.
Immediate Impact on Teeth and Gums
Chewing tobacco products contain abrasive particles, nicotine, and harmful chemicals that directly affect teeth and soft tissues. Regular use leads to:
Tooth staining and enamel erosion: Weakens teeth and increases sensitivity
Chronic gum irritation: Leads to swelling and bleeding
Receding gums: Exposes tooth roots and raises the risk of infections
Persistent bad breath: Disrupts the natural bacterial balance
Unlike smoking, chewing products remain in prolonged contact with the gums, inner cheeks, and tongue, allowing toxic substances to seep directly into oral tissues.
From Inflammation to Precancerous Changes
Continuous irritation causes chronic inflammation in the mouth. Over time, this can lead to precancerous conditions such as oral leukoplakia (white patches) and erythroplakia (red lesions). These patches may appear painless and harmless initially, which often delays medical consultation.
Another common condition linked to areca nut and gutkha use is Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSMF), a progressive disease that causes stiffness of the mouth, reduced opening, a burning sensation, and difficulty in eating or speaking. It significantly increases the risk of oral cancer and is often irreversible.
How Chewing Habits Turn Cancerous
Chewing tobacco exposes oral tissues to carcinogens such as nitrosamines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These chemicals damage DNA at a cellular level. With repeated exposure, normal cells begin to mutate, lose their ability to repair themselves, and grow uncontrollably marking the transition from chronic irritation to cancer.
Gum cancer and other oral cancers often begin subtly, presenting as:
Non-healing mouth ulcers
Lumps or thickening in the gums or cheek
Loose teeth without a dental cause
Persistent pain or numbness
Difficulty chewing, swallowing, or speaking
By the time symptoms become pronounced, the disease may already be at an advanced stage.
Why Early Detection Matters
Despite being one of the most preventable cancers, oral cancer is also one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in India. Early-stage oral cancers have high cure rates with less aggressive treatment.
Regular dental check-ups, self-examination of the mouth, and prompt evaluation of any unusual oral changes play a critical role in early detection.
Tobacco De-Addiction Support at RGCIRC
Breaking free from gutkha, pan masala, and tobacco dependence is challenging, but it is achievable with the right medical support.
At RGCIRC, the dedicated Tobacco Cessation Clinic provides structured, evidence-based assistance to help individuals quit chewing tobacco safely and sustainably. The clinic offers personalised counselling, behavioural therapy, and medical guidance tailored to each individual’s level of dependence. Patients are supported with withdrawal management, relapse prevention strategies, and regular follow-ups to ensure long-term success.
Importantly, early oral changes linked to tobacco use are also assessed, allowing timely intervention before serious disease develops.
By addressing both addiction and its health consequences, the Tobacco Cessation Clinic helps patients quit tobacco dependence while protecting long-term oral and overall health.
Breaking the Habit, Protecting Lives
Quitting gutkha, pan masala, and tobacco chewing is the single most effective step in preventing oral cancer. Awareness, behavioural support, and timely medical guidance can help individuals break dependence and reverse early damage before it becomes irreversible.
Everyday chewing habits may feel routine, but their consequences are anything but. Protecting oral health is not just about saving teeth, it is about preventing a disease that can alter lives permanently.
