Root Decay

Root decay is a common finding in older dental patients with receding gum lines. Early dental treatment can often fully correct the problem and avoid (or delay) the necessity for dental prostheses.

Common oral factors that cause root decay include:

Diminished salivary flow and buffer capacity
Periodontal pocketing with attachment loss
Gingival recession and gingivitis with calculus and oral debris
Elevated bacterial content of saliva (S. mutans, Lactobaccilli, C. albicans)
Presence of overdenture abutments
Unrestored dental decay

Arrow indicates occlusal decay.

"Occlusal decay" is caries occurring on the grinding or biting surface of the tooth.
Missing teeth
Bruxism [The habit of unconsciously gritting or grinding the teeth, esp. in situations of stress or during sleep.]
Wearing removable partial dentures

Extrinsic Factors that may play a role in root decay include:

Advanced age
Male gender
White ethnicity
Smoking history
Physical & cognitive impairment
Sucrose-containing foods
Limited ingestion of milk products
Medications that cause xerostomia
Radiation treatment

Root decay as seen in mouth with help of mirror.

Dental Caries

Common Oral Lesions