Everyday habits which are extremely popular putting people at risk of mouth cancer
Danni King
Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/ljubaphoto
We all have our own routines and habits which we've developed over the years, but it could be time to make some lifestyle changes.
Taking control of your health is extremely important and it's always useful to know how your everyday habits are impacting your overall wellbeing.
There are several things we do everyday which can put us at risk of developing health problems, such as mouth cancer.
Read on to find out which simple habits could be increasing your risk of developing mouth cancer by up to 10 times.
Most of us enjoy the odd drink every now and again, but if you're regularly drinking to excess it could time to rethink your habits.
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Alcohol is linked to just under a third of all mouth cancer cases, with excessive drinking increasing your risk of developing the disease.
Consuming alcohol and smoking together increases the risk by up to 30 times.
Guidelines in the UK recommend men and women consume a maximum of 14 units of alcohol per week. For reference, one pint of beer usually has between two and three units.
We've been hearing about the consequences of too much sun for years, with it being well-known that being frequently over exposed to UV radiation can lead to skin cancer.
It doesn't matter if your tan is from natural sunlight or sunbeds, as the risk remains the same.
These tanning habits can also lead to mouth cancer, as skin cancer can develop on the lips - an area often exposed to UV radiation.
While we all know smoking is extremely bad for your health, you might presume smokeless tobacco products are less harmful.
However, this isn't the case.
Smokeless tobacco, which refers to any tobacco product placed in the mouth or nose and not burned, is extremely harmful and can increase a person's risk of developing mouth cancer drastically.
These products tend to contain a mix of slaked lime, areca nut and spices as well as flavourings and sweeteners.
In the UK, the main types of smokeless tobacco include Gutka, Khaini, Pan Masala, Shammah and Maras powder, as well as Nass, Zarda, Qiwam or Mawa.
The benefits of a healthy, balanced diet are endless and it could be key to preventing diseases like mouth cancer.
Around a third of mouth cancers are believed to be linked to an unhealthy diet and a lack of vitamins and minerals, according to Oral Health Foundation.
Evidence suggests that Omega 3 can help lower your risk - this can be found in foods like eggs and fish.
Adding more fibre to your diet is also recommended, with foods like nuts, seeds and brown rice helping to lower your risk, too.
It'll come as no surprise that smoking tobacco is heavily linked to mouth cancer.
Being a smoker - including cigarettes, pipes and cigars - increases your risk of developing the disease by up to 10 times in contrast to non-smokers.
More than 60 percent of mouth cancers are linked to smoking and there is evidence that suggests second-hand smoke can also increase your risk.