Do I Have Mouth Tori?
April 27, 2018
Tori are defined as hills of bone growth covered by normal, healthy gum tissue. To sum that up, mouth tori are typically growths of bone in your mouth that do not usually cause a problem. Torus is the word used for single bump, while tori is the word for more than one. Tori are ordinary, completely healthy, and rarely a cause for you to be concerned. The bumps of bone usually develop on both sides of the mouth in a symmetrical fashion, but can sometimes asymmetrically appear on just one side. Tori typically develop in three places in the mouth: on the lower jaw facing the tongue, on the palate or roof of the mouth, and the insides of the cheeks facing the inner molars. If you do have mouth tori, it is usually not a problem.
What Causes a Torus to Develop?
The development of tori is usually caused by your genetics. But there have been some studies that attributed tori development to stress in the jawbone usually caused by excessive clenching or grinding of the teeth. One study showed that mandibular tori (the kind along the tongue and the muscle attached to your lower jaw) appeared significantly higher in the group of people who grind their teeth over the people who did not frequently grind their teeth.
If I Do, Should I Treat It?
Generally, tori do not need to be treated. The only times it may be recommend is if a torus or tori are hindering the placement of a prosthesis or if the growths caused any problems. Tori usually do not have symptoms, and typically do not interfere with daily eating, drinking or speaking. They often just go unnoticed. In the event that tori do become problematic, removal can be done through outpatient surgery. Visiting your dentist for routine exams and cleanings can help ensure that any potential issues can be identified and addressed. Your dentist can check on the growth of any tori in your mouth to confirm everything is normal and healthy.
A Torus in the Mouth Is Generally Non-problematic
Typically, mouth tori are normal and usually do not cause problems for your oral health. To schedule an appointment, call Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry of Kansas City, MO, today at 816-427-4018.