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RE: Tooth Loss May Increase Your Risk of Dementia by Up to 80%
Correlation does not equal causation. Isn't it another possibility that people who are more likely to lose their teeth are more likely to get dementia for some related reason?
If the chewing explanation turns out to be true then chewing gum could help prevent dementia! Of course, you would still need your teeth...
Exactly! there are two ways in which a correlation can occur between two variables: either one causes the other or a third one (unknown) is causative of the other two. It could just be that general degeneration causes both of these effects, and that some people simply age faster than others.
Yes.
Very good point that is why I suggest that a controlled study which tests whether maintaining teeth prevents or reduces the risk would be a useful next step.
I was about to suggest something similar. Both dementia and loss of teeth are stuff that are easily connected to ageing people so that it may be not too complicated to find options for a third variable.
Yes.