You’ve just finished filing your taxes, and you’re now walking away a richer person! However, you have no idea what to spend your new mini-fortune on—a vacation sounds pleasant and well-deserved, but so does paying off that looming debt. But something you might not even be considering is taking that money and investing it towards one thing that matters more than sand-swept beaches: your oral health. Here’s how an investment in your mouth now can save you a lot of time, effort, and money in the future.

Oral cancer is serious; the American Cancer Society estimates that this year alone, over 51,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with it—a very staggering figure! Even though there are treatment options and preventive measures you can take, the risks for developing this type of cancer are still apparent and should not be taken lightly. Here are some of the factors that are commonly associated with oral cancer, along with tips you can implement to help minimize your risk.