The New York Times (7/29, Bakalar) reports that research suggests “severe gum disease and tooth loss may be linked to an increased risk for developing dementia.” Investigators followed more than 8,200 men and women for an average of more than 18 years. The researchers found, “after controlling for various characteristics…that compared with people with healthy gums, those who had severe gingivitis with tooth loss had a 22 percent increased relative risk for dementia.” Meanwhile, “being toothless was associated with a 26 percent increased risk.” The findings were published in Neurology. CNN (7/29, Hunt) also covers the story. (SOURCE: APA Headlines)