(of a substance) producing caries, esp in the teeth
cariogenic in American English
(ˌkɛəriəˈdʒenɪk)
adjective
conducive to the production or promotion of dental caries
the cariogenic factors in sweets
Derived forms
cariogenicity (ˌkɛərioudʒəˈnɪsɪti)
noun
Word origin
[cari(es) + -o- + -genic]-o- is the typical ending of the first element of compounds of Greek origin (as -i- is, in compounds of Latin origin), used regularly in forming new compounds with elementsof Greek origin and often used in English as a connective irrespective of etymology(Franco-Italian; geography; seriocomic; speedometer); -genic is a combining form often corresponding to nouns ending in -gen or -geny, with the following senses: “producing or causing” (hallucinogenic); “produced or caused by” (cosmogenic); “pertaining to a gene or genes” (polygenic); “pertaining to suitability for reproduction by a medium” (telegenic)
Examples of 'cariogenic' in a sentence
cariogenic
Cocoa appears to inhibit the cariogenic properties of confectionery to some extent.
Mayes, Adrienne The Dictionary of Nutritional Health (1986)