Betel nut vendor at the Nyung Shwe market near Inle Lake, Myanmar. His teeth are stained from chewing betel nut, which is shredded and wrapped in a slake lime coated-betel leaf, along with spices and alcohol-marinated tobacco. Over time, the concoction eats the enamel off teeth. Many in Myanmar, especially men, are so addicted to the substance that that their teeth are little more than red-black stubs. Though I tried to take photos of many with this condition, they almost always closed their mouths when my camera came out, leading me to believe that they are embarrassed by the appearance of their stained teeth. Our guide said the teeth of many elderly folk rot away entirely. Without teeth to chew the hard nut, family members grind down the mixture to a powder, which they are able to gum in order to satisfy their addiction. This was just one of many fascinating sights seen during my Myanmar Explorer Cruise/Tour with Viking River Cruises.
That’s very interesting. Every culture in the world has their own vices. I wonder if there is as much stigma about them there as there is in America?
There’s no question that nicotine is addictive, even so much to the point that you would eat away at your own teeth…
Hi Laura: I can’t help but believe there is a stigma about the betel nut chewing, because almost every person who had stained teeth would not smile when I wanted to take their photo.This man was the rare exception.