Your heart rate and blood pressure drop.

The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.

Your circulation improves and your lung function increases.

Coughing and shortness of breath decrease; the tiny hair-like structures that move mucus out of the lungs (called cilia) regain normal function in the lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce the risk of infection.

The excess risk of (coronary) heart disease is half that of a smoker’s.

Your stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker in 5 to 15 years after quitting.

The lung cancer death rate is about half that of a continuing smoker’s. The risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, cervix, and pancreas decreases.

The risk of (coronary) heart disease is that of a nonsmoker’s.

The term oral cancer includes cancers of the mouth and the pharynx, part of the throat. About two-thirds of oral cancers occur in the mouth and about one-third are found in the pharynx.

Oral cancer will be diagnosed in an estimated 35,000 Americans this year and will cause approximately 7,500 deaths.

Oral cancer can spread quickly. On average, only 60 percent of those with the disease will survive more than 5 years.

Oral cancer most often occurs in people over the age of 40 and affects more that twice as many men as women.

Most oral cancer is preventable. 75 percent of oral cancers are related to tobacco use, alcohol use, or use of both substances together. Using both tobacco and alcohol puts you at much greater risk than using either substance alone.

Do not use tobacco products – cigarettes, chew or snuff, pipes or cigars. Tobacco in all forms plays a role in oral cancers.

If you drink alcohol, do so only in moderation. Excessive alcohol use can increase your risk of oral cancer.

Use lip balm that contains sunscreen. Exposure to sunlight is a risk factor for lip cancer.

Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Eating lots of fruits and vegetables as part of a low-fat, high fiber diet may help reduce cancer risk. The National Cancer Institute suggests eating at least five servings of fruit and vegetables each day.

See a dentist or physician if any of the following symptoms last for more than 2 weeks.

A sore, irritation, lump or thick patch in your mouth, lip, or throat.

A white or red patch in your mouth

A feeling that something is caught in your throat

Difficulty chewing or swallowing

Difficulty moving your jaw or tongue

Numbness in your tongue or other areas of your mouth

Swelling of your jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable

Pain in one ear without hearing loss

It is important to find oral cancer as early as possible when it can be treated more successfully.

An oral cancer examination can detect early signs of cancer. Oral cancer exams are painless and quick – and take only a few minutes.

Your regular dental check-up is an excellent opportunity to have the exam. During the exam your dentist or dental hygienist will check your face, neck, lips, and entire mouth for possible signs of cancer.

Some parts of the pharynx are not visible during an oral cancer exam. Talk to you dentist about whether a specialist should check your pharynx.