Torus Mandibularis : Is Having A Bone Under Your Tongue Normal?

Torus Mandibularis is a condition that is characterized by small bumps located on the inside of the lower jaw, beneath the tongue. While not indicative of any dangerous disease or health condition, some people consider them unsightly or uncomfortable when eating certain foods. Here’s what you need to know about Torus Mandibularis.

Appearance

In most cases Torus Mandibularis appears under the tongue as a solid bump on the bone. In most cases, the bumps are symmetrical on both sides of the mouth. They are hard and the tissue on the inside of your mouth is generally thinner covering those areas, which makes them susceptible to some tearing and damage when eating hard foods. The appearance of these bumps usually happens around puberty or into the early 30s, and may be attributed to certain stress factors, gender or race.

However, inconsistent information exists about whether men or women are more likely to have tori, or bumps. It is thought that up to 25% of the population has visible tori in one form or another.

Health Risks

There are no known risks associated with the appearance of Torus Mandibularis. In most cases, the bumps will enlarge slightly over the lifetime of the patient, and may cause some discomfort if they regularly rub against one another or food while eating. Otherwise they are not dangerous by themselves and few dentists recommend any formal treatment for them.

For people with very large tori, there may be some effect on speech and eating habits as the tongue is forced to move around the obstruction, but this is only in very extreme cases.

Removal

There are a few cases where removal of tori may be necessary. If the patient is being fitted for a lower denture plate, and the raised mass will not allow the plate to seat properly, it may need to be removed. In addition, if the bumps are very close to the molars or other teeth and prevent regular brushing and flossing from properly cleaning the area, this may be cause for removal.

In general, removal involves an anesthetic, and a small chisel is used to knock down the raised areas. While it seems a little brutish, the inside of the mouth is actually very delicate so very little force is required to accomplish the task. Unfortunately, the healing process does leave you with small open sores inside the mouth for a while until the tissue can regrow to cover the area once again.

Gables Sedation & Family Dentistry

Overall, the appearance of small bone-spur-like protrusions under the tongue is not uncommon. Torus Mandibularis affects a large percentage of the population and is generally not cause for concern so long as you take good care of your teeth and don’t need any sort of prosthetic in the future. People who do have tori may experience mild discomfort if the area is injured while eating, but otherwise will see few side effects of these growths whatsoever.

If you have any questions about Torus Mandibularis or would like information regarding any dental issues, please contact us at Gables Sedation & Family Dentistry. We would be happy to speak with you.