This condition is not just uncomfortable — it can lead to serious health problems. People with a locked jaw often suffer from poor nutrition, difficulty maintaining oral hygiene, and a higher risk of developing oral cancer.
Published Apr 28, 2025 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Apr 28, 2025 | 7:00 AM
Locked jaw. Representative Image. (iStock)
Synopsis: A Bengaluru-based research team is set to dig deeper into its hidden causes of oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), a disease that gradually locks the mouth shut, making it painful to eat, speak, or even smile. The first round of funding has already been secured, and additional support is expected as the project progresses.
Millions of people in India struggle with a condition that many have barely heard of — oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), a disease that gradually locks the mouth shut, making it painful to eat, speak, or even smile. Thanks to international recognition, a Bengaluru-based research team is set to dig deeper into its hidden causes.
Dr Gururaj Arakeri and Dr Vishal Rao, renowned oncologists from HCG Cancer Hospital in Bengaluru, have been awarded a prestigious research grant by the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (BAOMS) for 2025. Dr Arakeri is winning the grant for the fourth time — a rare feat, especially since he is the only non-British researcher to have achieved it so far.
The team’s new study aims to explore a critical and often overlooked question: Are gutka (a chewable tobacco product) and areca nut the only villains behind OSMF, or are there other hidden culprits making the condition worse?
Locked jaw, in the context of oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), refers to the gradual inability to open the mouth fully. It happens when the soft tissues inside the mouth — especially the cheeks and inner lining — become stiff and scarred over time. This scarring is usually triggered by the chronic chewing of gutka (a tobacco and areca nut mixture) or areca nut alone, both of which cause repeated irritation.
As the fibrosis worsens, the mouth opening narrows significantly, making simple actions like eating, speaking, brushing teeth, or even smiling difficult. In severe cases, patients may not be able to insert even a finger into their mouth.
This condition is not just uncomfortable — it can lead to serious health problems. People with a locked jaw often suffer from poor nutrition, difficulty maintaining oral hygiene, and a higher risk of developing oral cancer. Unlike the “lockjaw” associated with tetanus, where jaw muscles are affected due to infection, here the issue lies in the thickened, fibrosed (scarred) tissues inside the mouth. Left untreated, OSMF can severely impact a person’s quality of life and needs timely diagnosis and management.
While areca nut has long been known to cause OSMF — and is even classified as carcinogenic — early findings from Dr Arakeri’s pilot studies suggest that other ingredients, particularly fluoride present in some smokeless tobacco products, may also be playing a serious role.
“This research challenges long-held assumptions about OSMF,” Dr Arakeri told South First. “The locked jaw condition, which afflicts millions, particularly in rural communities, may not stem solely from areca nut chewing. Factors like fluoride, which have been underexplored, could play a significant role,”
This fresh line of inquiry is important because OSMF doesn’t just affect comfort — it can lead to life-threatening oral cancers. Dr Vishal Rao pointed out the deep human impact the disease causes:
“This condition severely diminishes quality of life, making it challenging for patients to eat, speak, or maintain oral hygiene. This not only causes immense suffering but also heightens the risk of oral cancer. By uncovering the true causes, we aim to pave the way for more effective prevention and treatment strategies,” he said.
The research will bring together experts from across the world, including Professor Peter Brennan from the UK, Dr Antonio Celentano from the University of Melbourne in Australia, and top Indian specialists like Dr Krishnan Murugesan, Dr Shekar Patil, Dr Roopa Reddy and Dr Satish.
The first round of funding has already been secured, and additional support is expected as the project progresses.
For communities where chewing gutka and areca nut is a daily habit — often starting from a young age — the findings from this study could one day make a real difference.
If fluoride or other hidden substances are proven to be key players, public health campaigns and preventive strategies could be reshaped to tackle the root causes more effectively.
Dr Arakeri and Dr Rao’s work at HCG Cancer Hospital continues to shine a light on issues that often stay hidden in the shadows — offering not just scientific insights, but hope for a better quality of life for countless patients.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
