What Is Torus Palatinus And What Causes It?

The mouth is the gateway to the rest of the body. It is a small part of the overall anatomy of our bodies, but it plays a crucial role in our everyday lives. It is through the mouth that we drink, eat, speak, and even reveal our radiant smile. The mouth comprises of key players such as the teeth, gums, palate, and salivary glands. For many individuals, the palate is just the bony structure of the mouth that doesn’t play a significant role in their daily life. But they are wrong! The palate is a structure overlaid with soft tissue that helps with chewing and swallowing food. Most importantly, the palate helps individuals form sounds when speaking. The majority of individuals have a normal palate that is smooth and concave. Others may have bony growths that appear along the center of the palate. These nodules (growths) are called torus palatinus. Learn more about this condition and what causes it now.

Description Of Torus Palantinus

A harmless, simple, and painless condition is the best description of torus palatinus. With time, small nodules (bony structures) may begin appearing at the roof of the mouth. They may grow bigger with time, but they are rarely painful or sore. These bony growths also do not interfere with an individual’s speech and eating. The word palatinus is used to describe the roof of the mouth while torus refers to the bony growths.

Torus palatinus is among the commonest exostosis of the oral cavity. These growths are not cancerous, so there is nothing to worry about. They differ in shape with most of them assuming lobular, nodular, irregular, or spindle-like shapes. Simple radiography reveals opacity on the affected area probably due to the bone density. These bony growths do not result in any complications. That’s why most of the experts warn against removing them in most cases, though certain situations may require their removal. For instance, when individuals need to be fitted with dental prosthetics or when they impact an individual's speech or eating ability.

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Genetic Component

Genetics play a significant role in the occurrence of torus palatinus. Studies revealed if the parents have torus palatinus, there is a forty to sixty percent chance their children will have it too. If the parents do not have this condition, there is a five to eight percent chance their children will have it. It is estimated torus palatinus affects about twenty percent of the general population, and most of the cases are due to genetic predisposition. Previous studies have shown torus palatinus is more prevalent in women than in men. However, this condition does not depend on age, and therefore it can affect individuals in all age groups. Torus palatinus is prevalent in younger individuals because most of them have a high bone density.

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Increased Bone Density

As highlighted earlier, torus palatinus is a bony lesion appearing at the middle of the hard palate. It is made up of mature dense cancellous bone. Some of these bony structures have a rim of cortical bone of varying thickness. In some patients, torus palatinus may exhibit osteoblastic activity, which means the lesion is undergoing regeneration just like other bones.

Recent studies revealed individuals with normal-high bone density are at a higher risk of developing torus palatinus. The revelations came about when scientists were investigation one family where subjects had high bone density due to a gene mutation. The researchers realized most of the subjects with torus palatinus had an increased bone density. The study, which involved postmenopausal Caucasian women, showed they had higher bone density than their peers. All the women in the study had large torus palatinus. The new revelation affirms previous studies that hinted the relationship between the occurrence of torus palatinus and increased bone density in women.

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Diet High In Saltwater Fish

Freshwaters such as lakes are usually calmer than the ever-rushing ocean waters (saltwater). Similarly, creatures living in these water bodies are different. Most individuals probably know fish is categorized into fresh and saltwater fish. These fish also have their differences. The major difference between saltwater fish and freshwater fish is their nutrient composition. Freshwater fish are considered superior in terms of nutrients than saltwater fish. Generally, saltwater fish has larger amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids and calcium than freshwater fish. So, how does a diet high in saltwater fish influence the occurrence of torus palatinus?

Most individuals know their bones are majorly composed of calcium. In fact, doctors recommend saltwater fish to individuals with low bone density and osteoporosis. But increased consumption of saltwater fish also increases the chances of developing torus palatinus. Remember in some individuals, the bony structure has some osteoblastic activity. This means increased consumption of diets rich in calcium such as saltwater fish can encourage the growth of the torus.

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Grinding Or Clenching Teeth

Individuals waking up with a slight headache, tight jaw, or sore face might be suffering from bruxism. The condition occurs when individuals unconsciously move their teeth back and forth at night or even during the day. Teeth clenching can be caused by a variety of factors, including stress, anxiety, or even genetic factors. Grinding or clenching teeth can have serious effects on an individual's dental health. If left untreated, bruxism can cause sensitive teeth, and in some cases, teeth may fracture or crack.

Some studies have also shown bruxism can trigger the development of torus palatinus. According to researchers, torus palatinus can start forming when the forces from the grinding jaws are transmitted to the lingual facet where they cause masticatory stress. The resulting masticatory stress is responsible for the development of torus palatinus in most of the individuals with bruxism.