Root caries are more common in which population?

• A. Children
• B. Elderly and gingival recession
• C. Teenagers
• D. Athletes

Answer: (B)

Root caries happen on exposed root surfaces, which are cementum and dentin rather than enamel. The key factor increasing this risk is gingival recession, which exposes more of the root as people age. In older adults, the gum line often recedes, creating these exposed surfaces that are softer and more vulnerable to demineralization by acids in plaque. Additional age-related factors like dry mouth from medications or diseases further raise the risk because salivary flow and buffering capacity are reduced.

Because of these reasons, the population most prone to root caries is elderly individuals who have gingival recession. In contrast, children and teenagers have less root exposure, and athletes don’t represent a specific high-risk group for root caries.