In which demographic does physiologic pigmentation appear more frequently?

Physiologic pigmentation appears more frequently in dark-skinned people due to the higher melanin content in their skin and mucosal tissues. Melanin is a natural pigment that provides color and protects against damage from UV radiation. In individuals with darker skin, the presence of melanin contributes to a more pronounced pigmentation of the gums and oral mucosa, making physiologic pigmentation more noticeable.

In contrast, lighter-skinned individuals typically have less melanin, which can result in minimal or less pronounced pigmentation in the oral cavity. This demographic also exhibits different responses to physiological and environmental factors affecting pigmentation. The prevalence of physiologic pigmentation in children and elderly people can vary but is generally not attributed to the same physiological mechanisms that drive pigmentation in individuals with darker skin tones. Thus, darker-skinned individuals are distinctly more likely to exhibit physiologic pigmentation compared to other demographics.