As World Oral Health Day (WOHD) 2015 approaches on 20 March, FDI World Dental Federation wants people to make a healthy New Year's resolution and reduce their use of tobacco – or give it up completely – as part of the 'Smile for life' campaign.

The use of tobacco can significantly increase the risk of many serious oral health problems: oral cancer, gum disease, premature tooth loss, tooth discoloration, bad breath, and reduced ability to taste and smell.

The use of tobacco, including smokeless tobacco, and excessive consumption of alcohol, are the key risk factors in oral cancer and together are estimated to account for 90% of oral cancers worldwide. This percentage could be significantly lowered through a reduction in the use of tobacco and alcohol intake.

The FDI would also like to encourage health professionals to participate in tobacco prevention activities. Dentists and their teams can help communicate important messages to patients about the threats posed by tobacco use and help them to identify the key risk factors and the early signs of oral cancer, as well as gum disease and other oral health problems, in their early stages.

Patients may not always recognise early symptoms, so the FDI and its partners: Listerine, Unilever, Henry Schein and the Wrigley Oral Healthcare Program, encourage people of all ages to schedule regular check-ups with their dentists.

Find out more at www.worldoralhealthday.org.