RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Oral Cancer Month is next month, which means that the Virginia Dental Association (VDA) is urging people to refrain from using tobacco and nicotine vapes, as well as schedule routine oral exams at the dentist. Virginia dentists are urging the general public to be mindful of the health risks associated with nicotine usage. The VDA says dentists are the first health professionals to notice oral cancer signs, appearing inside the mouth and throat or on the tonsils and tongue. “While many people view using vapes and other tobacco-free products as a less harmful substitute to smoking cigarettes, nicotine exposure in any form can harm brain development, increase blood pressure and heart rate and lead to addiction,” said VDA President, Justin Norbo, DDS. “This Oral Cancer Awareness Month, we’re encouraging individuals to examine lifestyle habits that may increase their risk of developing oral cancers, and to schedule an appointment with their dentist, especially if it’s been over a year since their last exam.”  Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that electric cigarettes remained the most commonly used tobacco product at 5.9% for the 11th year in a row, with nicotine pouches the second most commonly tobacco product used at 1.8%. The VDA urges anyone who experiences the following symptoms for more than two weeks to talk to their dentist: A sore or irritation that doesn't heal    Red or white patches    Pain, tenderness or numbness in the mouth or lips    A lump, thickening, rough spot, crust or small eroded area    Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving the tongue or jaw    A change in the way teeth fit together when closing the mouth    For more information, visit the American Dental Association’s Mouth Healthy campaign.   ...read more read less