Aging is the greatest factor in the development of Alzheimer’s disease, and unfortunately, impossible to avoid. However, The Huffington Post reports that there are smaller factors that people can control to decrease their risk of this condition as well as dementia, such as small lifestyle changes.

Simple maintenance tasks like making sure one’s dentures fit correctly or getting regular vision checks could be helpful, according to the Canadian Study of Health and Aging.

The research was reportedly done to see if heart disease, diabetes and other conditions, which are known as risk factors for Alzheimer’s and dementia, could actually forewarn doctors of the disease. More than 7,000 patient responses were recorded detailing everything from vision quality and bladder-related issues to dental care and denture fit, according to the source. It was determined that problems that affect one’s general health may be associated with a higher risk for the conditions.

“The single risk factors that we looked at tended to be less important than overall general health,” Dr. Kenneth Rockwood, professor of medicine and Alzheimer research for Canada’s Dalhousie University, told the news source. “Leading an active, healthy life when you’re younger is more likely to lead to better brain health when you’re older.”

Despite Rockwood’s findings, other studies have produced insufficient scientific evidence to support his claims – although he still encourages engaging “in a healthy lifestyle now, and that includes all of the specific factors that can add up – particularly exercise.”

“You don’t have to wait 20 years for all of the data to come in,” he said.