'cariogenic' originates from Neo-Latin/International scientific formation combining the Latin word 'caries' (meaning 'decay, rot') with the suffix '-genic' (from Greek-rooted '-gen' meaning 'producing' or 'causing').

'cariogenic' was formed in modern medical/technical English by attaching the Greek-derived suffix '-genic' to the Latin root 'caries'; the formation became established in 20th-century dental and medical literature to describe agents that produce caries.

Initially formed to mean 'producing decay' in a general sense; over time its usage narrowed specifically to 'causing dental caries (tooth decay)'.