Betel Nut and Betel Leaf Chewing–Associated Periodontitis with Alveolar Bone Loss and Tooth Mobility in a Patient with Diabetes Mellitus: A Case Report

Betel nut (areca nut) and betel leaf chewing is a common cultural habit in South Asia and is associated with multiple oral pathologies, including periodontal disease. Diabetes mellitus is a well-established systemic risk factor that exacerbates periodontal destruction. This case report describes a middle-aged patient with a long-standing habit of betel nut and betel leaf chewing who presented with generalized periodontitis, severe alveolar bone loss, and tooth mobility, aggravated by poorly controlled diabetes mellitus. The report highlights the synergistic role of local irritants and systemic metabolic dysregulation in accelerating periodontal breakdown.