Incidence of micronuclei in oral mucosa of users of tobacco products singly or in various combinations.

Frequencies of micronucleated cells (MNCs) were analyzed in the exfoliated buccal mucosa of normal healthy individuals from different parts of India who were regularly using either areca nut alone, mava, tamol, tobacco with lime, dry snuff or masheri. The analyses were also carried out among oral submucous fibrosis patients who had the habit of chewing either mava or areca nut. Compared with 'no habit' healthy individuals, all the groups, irrespective of their type of habit, had significantly higher frequencies of MNCs.