Cancers of the mouth, head and neck are expected to claims about 9,570 American lives each year, and more than 600,000 new cases of oral cancer will be diagnosed worldwide.

However, did you know a simple oral screening session with your dentist could double your chances of surviving oral cancer?

Protect your health by being aware of the risk factors:

* Tobacco use: Most people know that smoking has many health risks this includes your oral health.

* Alcohol Drinking: Drinking alcohol in excess can also increase your risk of oral cancers.

* HPV Virus: The HPV virus increase your risk for oral cancer.

* Chewing: Chewing tobacco like smoking will increase your risk of having oral cancer.

Approximately 40 percent of people diagnosed with oral, head and neck cancer die within five years. However, the survival rate jumps to 90 percent when diagnosis of these diseases is made during the early stages.

What you can do to help reduce your risks

* Make sure to schedule an oral cancer screening. Your dentist is specially trained to detect signs of oral cancer.

* Self-examine regularly, watch for symptoms and report them to your dentist.