HCG: High Fluoride in Gutkha & Pan Masala Linked to Oral Pre-Cancer

Photo:Representative Image

Doctors at HCG Cancer Hospital have discovered a potential new cause of oral submucosal fibrosis (OSMF). This cancer causes oral tissues to thicken and restrict the opening of the mouth. Fluoride in gutkha and bread masala can not only cause OSMF but can also promote malignant transformation with continued use, leading to serious concerns about oral cancer.

In a study by Gururaj Arakeri, Ph.D., Vishal Rao, USA, Dr. Shekhar Patil, and his team found that OSMF was more active among gutkha users than those who ate only areca nut. This finding has important implications for public health, especially in regions where gutka and masala bread are widely consumed.

Research published in the Journal of Oral Pathology and Medicine, British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Medical Hypotheses found that gutka and paan masala, widely used chewing tobacco products in India, have high fluoride levels. When these products are chewed, large amounts of fluoride can be absorbed and stored in oral tissues, possibly causing local toxicity. 

This collection contributes to the development and strength of OSMF among users. These findings significantly differ from the previous belief that the main cause of OSMF is areca nut, especially the copper content.

The HCG Cancer Hospital researchers wanted to raise public awareness and encourage effective control measures to address this. They neglected health problems. They ask you to take it. Their findings are expected to pave the way for further research into the effects of fluoride on oral health, which may lead to new preventative measures and treatments for OSMF and oral cancer.

The oncology team plans to conduct additional studies to validate the results in a larger sample size and include some molecular studies in the study plan. This includes studies of malignant transformation, which may better understand the progression of oral submucosal fibrosis to oral cancer.