Why do Dry January?

January is that time each year when some of us make resolutions to try and break habits that we feel don't support us. It could be your resolution to eat a healthier diet, to exercise more, to read more or maybe you are going to be ready for a break from the Christmas bubbly, maybe you want a "new year, new me" challenge or perhaps you’ve been thinking about the health benefits of giving up alcohol?

Dry January appeals to different people for lots of reasons, it can be the perfect challenge for someone who feels they may have been drinking a little more than usual, it can be for charity or it can be for someone who wants to explore the health benefits that giving up alcohol provides. The challenge is straightforward – no alcohol for the month of January.

What health benefits will you notice?

Starting your new year without that weekend pint or bottle of wine will pave the way for brighter skin, a fuller wallet, better sleep and a calmer mind. It also has many benefits for your oral health, especially considering that 30% oral cancers are related to excessive alcohol consumption.

How does alcohol increase the risk of oral cancer?

Alcohol dries out the skin inside your mouth and is broken down by bacteria that cause cancer-causing chemicals. These chemicals are poisonous to the cells in our body and damage our DNA. Increasing the risk further is drinking alcohol and smoking at the same time, which can increase the risk of developing mouth cancer by around 30 times.

This all doesn’t sound very festive, but it is a reality and sadly cases of oral cancer are rising. Prevention and early detection are key, so checking your mouth once a month for any new lumps, bumps or changes in colour is a great way to look after your oral health. At your dental check-ups, your dentist also does a thorough examination of your soft tissues checking for any signs of oral cancer, but if you are concerned between check-ups our dentists would be more than happy to see you.

So will you join us for Dry January? There are lots of handy resources, toolkits and apps online to help us kick-start the challenge!

Mouth Cancer Foundation www.mouthcancerfoundation.org

Alcohol Change UK www.alcoholchange.org.uk

NHS www.nhs.uk/better-health/drink-less

Let us know how you get on!