In a new study, gum disease was linked to faster cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

There is a history of prescribing antibiotics to patients with hip and knee implants before they have any dental work done. There are concerns that this could help reduce the risk of bacteria entering the blood stream and affecting the implants. 

Tooth loss can get in the way of the ability to eat some foods, especially hard foods.  The ability to chew hard foods may be related to cognitive ability in the elderly.