What Tori Can Tell Us About Your Bite And Breathing

As dentists, we often say the mouth tells a story—and sometimes that story goes beyond teeth and gums. One fascinating clue we see is the presence of tori (bony growths inside the mouth). While they are benign and common, their presence can also point to something deeper: the way your bite functions, and even how you breathe.

What Are Tori?

Tori are bony growths that can appear on the roof of the mouth (torus palatinus) or on the tongue side of the lower jaw (torus mandibularis). They aren’t dangerous, but they often develop because of extra stress placed on the bone. That stress usually comes from the way your teeth come together—your bite.

When the bite is off, the jaw and surrounding structures absorb pressure unevenly. The body adapts by reinforcing the bone in certain areas, which can result in tori forming over time.

What This Says About Your Bite

An uneven bite isn’t just about teeth looking misaligned—it affects how muscles, joints, and bone handle chewing forces. Tori can be one of the body’s ways of saying, “Hey, something’s not balanced here.” Patients with tori often grind or clench their teeth, sometimes without even realizing it.

The Breathing Connection: Mouth Breathing and Snoring

Another piece of the puzzle is airway health. Patients who breathe through the mouth—especially at night—tend to have more strain on their oral structures. Snoring or sleep-disordered breathing can cause the tongue and jaw to position differently, which in turn affects the bite.

Over time, this cycle of mouth breathing, bite imbalance, and added pressure on the jaw can encourage tori growth. In other words, tori can be a visible sign that your body is working harder than it should just to maintain balance.

Why It Matters

A misaligned bite can lead to headaches, jaw discomfort, and tooth wear.

Mouth breathing and snoring can impact sleep quality, energy levels, and even long-term health.

Tori may be harmless themselves, but they’re often the red flag that something bigger is going on.

What You Can Do

If you’ve noticed bony bumps in your mouth, or if you experience snoring, mouth breathing, or jaw discomfort, it’s worth bringing it up at your next dental visit. A comprehensive exam can help us check:

Whether your bite is properly aligned

If you’re showing signs of clenching or grinding

If airway or breathing issues may be contributing

Sometimes the solution is as simple as adjusting your bite, using a custom nightguard, or exploring options to improve airway health.

Takeaway: Tori are not just “extra bone.” They’re often the mouth’s way of showing us that there’s stress in the system—whether from a bite imbalance, mouth breathing, or even snoring. Paying attention to these signs can improve not only your oral health but also your overall well-being.

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