Which patient group is most commonly associated with root caries?

• A. Children
• B. Infants
• C. Elderly
• D. Teenagers

Answer: (C)

Root caries affect the exposed root surfaces, which become more common as gum recession and tooth wear increase with age. The cementum on roots is softer and less mineralized than enamel, and dentin readily allows decay when exposed. In older adults, multiple factors—periodontal recession exposing roots, higher likelihood of dry mouth from medications, and general changes in the oral environment—raise the risk of root caries. That combination makes the elderly the group most commonly associated with root caries.

For contrast, children and teenagers usually have mostly intact enamel-covered crowns with limited root exposure, and infants don’t have mature roots exposed in the same way, so root caries are far less common in those groups.