Dr Malik: A study of 1566 Japanese elderly suggests a link between the number of teeth you have left and dementia. Compared to 20 or more teeth, the risk of dementia was:
No teeth 63% higher risk
1-9 teeth 81% higher risk
10-19 teeth 62% higher risk.
Of course those that look after their teeth also may look after their general health, which links to “brain health” also. But, I am keen to brush my teeth more now.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2011.03791.x/full
Remember, physical activity works: activity for one day per week, was associated with a reduction of 7 percent in the risk of dementia in a previous study.
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa022252#t=article