Smokers who are hoping to limit their chances of developing mouth cancer should attend regular appointments with an emergency dentist to check for any symptoms.
The life-threatening illness, which affects almost 6,000 individuals per year, generally affects people aged 50 or over, with 87 per cent of cases in the UK accounted for by this age group.
However, young people who take part in regular drinking and smoking could be increasing their risk of developing mouth cancer, and should attend dental appointments on a regular basis.
This view is echoed by the British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF), which urges individuals of all ages to take small steps to reducing the chances of developing the potentially fatal illness.
Ensuring lips are protected in a warm climate could also be beneficial through the use of a high factor sun cream and block to ensure they are not affected by the sun’s harmful rays.
This advice comes after the BDHF highlighted its role in the Mouth Cancer Action Month campaign, which will take place in November to educate people about the symptoms of the illness.