What Is Dental Torus?
Do you feel a bump on the roof of your mouth? Maybe you feel something on the sides of your lower jaw. The bump may be small, it may be a bit large, or maybe you don’t realize you have any unusual bumps within your mouth at all.
It’s also possible you weren’t previously aware that bumps could be hidden inside your mouth. However, whether you’re aware or worried that this might happen to you, we have an answer for what it is.
Torus (or its plural, tori) is extra bone that grows inside the mouth within the confines of your jaw and under your gum tissue. When it appears on the roof of your mouth, it’s called torus palatinus. When it appears in your lower jaw, it’s called torus mandibularis. All these really are are extra bone, and they can vary in size and shape. The reason for having this extra bone is usually the result of genetics, but you may also get it if you clench and grind your teeth.
There’s a good chance that if you have torus palatinus, it doesn’t get in the way of your day-to-day activities, and the same can be said for torus mandibularis. This is because all this extra bone, more often than not, is just extra bone. It likely doesn’t bother you or bring you any unwarranted pain.
However, while most torus or tori are benign, it’s important that you have it looked over by your local dentist. Your dentist will always know how best to handle the tori, and there’s a good chance they’ll say it’s better to leave it be. In fact, it can actually be a bad thing to try and remove the tori, especially if it’s causing you no problems.
Possible Problems and Solutions
Tori can cause problems if you, most obviously, feel pain on the extra bone. The tori you have can also come into pain if you accidentally irritate it, which could come from brushing or eating. In many of these cases, the tori will need to be better taken care of, which can be done with things like mouthwash and other types of germ-killing material.
The biggest reason to remove any tori (other than irritation) is that it’s getting in your way. This is most noticeable if the extra bone is preventing you from improving your dental health. An example of this can be needing dentures, but the extra bone prevents your mouth from accommodating. It can even be more problematic if you have dentures, but dental tori is creeping in and threatening to undo the work you’ve had done.
So while it’s possible that the extra bone you have is harmless, it’s still important to have it looked over by your local dentist and see what they have to say. If you feel you have any tori and want it checked out, come visit Dr. Patty’s Dental Boutique. Nestled near downtown Ft. Lauderdale, we feature soothing sounds and a professional staff that will take care of your dental needs. Call us at 954-914-7407 and schedule your complimentary consultation today.