Betel chewing and dental decay.

A survey was carried out on Four hundred and sixty patients to find out the effects of betel chewing on dental caries & oral hygiene. It was found that among the betel chewers as well as the non betels chewers., the highest caries susceptibility was in the age group of 20-34 years. Also caries susceptibility was higher among the females as compared to males. It was also observed that though the habit of betel chewing reduces the incidence of dental decay, maintenance of oral hygiene is very poor.