Dental hygienists are equipped to educate and counsel patients on all facets of tobacco use, chewing of the betel nut is another oral habit that impacts the oral cavity. Dental hygienists should be aware of the negative effects caused by chewing the betel nut and be prepared to advised patients on cessation strategies. Betel nut is the fruit of areca palm tree which is the seed found within the fruit, appears mottled brown with gray – white markings. Users describe it is having a slightly bitter taste and report that it is helpful for digestive and oral health , as well as for facilitating bowel movements , increasing stamina , and improving concentration. Betel nuts can be chewed alone, nut many culture mix with combination with ingredients. One mixed together, the term most often used to described this masticatory drug betel quid,

I had a patient who had this habit. He has been a patient in our clinic for the last 5 years. He is coming for dental cleaning every 3 months, in the clinic he gets air polishing procedure done on his heavily stained teeth, every visit I explain to him the side effects of his habit which include staining on his teeth, xerostomia, and the risk of oral cancer. During the last two recall visits , he showed significant improvement in his oral hygiene related to reduction of betel quid chewing.