If you look closely at your teeth, you may be surprised to see tiny lines running vertical. These are known as craze lines and while not appealing, they are harmless in most instances. Book an appointment with a cosmetic dentist in Etobicoke to help you diminish the look of these fine lines.
What Are Craze Lines on Teeth?
Craze lines are typically shallow cracks that appear on your teeth over time and are mostly a cosmetic issue. A lot of dentists usually don’t consider craze lines an urgent issue that needs to be remedied right away unless they’re directly associated with a specific dental or oral health problem like cavities. In most cases your dentist might not even require you to treat craze lines at all. Despite their lack of urgency, many patients still opt to have craze lines repaired because they simply don’t like the way their teeth look. The good news is that there are a number of effective treatment options that can help reduce the look of craze lines on your teeth, but first it’s important to know what causes them and how you can avoid them from happening to you.
What Causes Craze Lines on Teeth?
Craze lines are typically caused by normal wear and tear on your teeth and jawline over the years. Think about all the ways in which you use your teeth on a daily basis and you’ll soon realize that your chompers deal with a lot of pressure! Chewing food, switching from cold to hot beverages at a moment’s notice and even using your teeth as tools or bottle openers (which is definitely not recommended) can put a great deal of strain on them. Eventually, they’ll literally begin to crack under the pressure.
Below are some common causes of craze lines on teeth:
- Bad bite: Having an overbite or underbite can cause craze lines to form as the teeth are hitting against the enamel of other teeth when speaking or chewing.
- Clenching or grinding teeth: As grinding and clenching the teeth wears down the enamel of the teeth, craze lines can also appear over time. The lines develop as the upper and lower teeth are rubbing on each other.
- Chewing non edibles: Craze lines can also appear if you have the habit of chewing on non-food items such as pens and pencils. Never use your teeth to open bottles or food packaging!
- Injury: An injury or trauma to teeth as seen with contact sports can lead to the appearance of craze lines. Although the enamel is considered to be the hardest substance of the human body, it can be damaged upon impact.
- Nail biting: Nail biting is directly linked to craze lines over time. This is because the outer layer of a tooth becomes damaged by biting down on the hard nail.
Treatment for Craze Lines
While craze lines do not require treatment through dental procedures or oral surgery, there are dental treatments for those who feel self-conscious about the tiny lines.
- Dental bonding: A common procedure to “treat” craze lines is dental bonding. A resin material that matches the colour of the tooth is applied on the surface of the enamel before a light source is used to harden the resin.
- Dental veneers:The permanent customized shell of dental veneers can be used to hide craze lines and other cosmetic issues such as stains and chipped teeth.
- Filling composite resin: With craze lines that are large in appearance or are deep within the enamel, composite resin may be used to “fill in” the lines. This substance is dental cement formed by synthetic resins that are insoluble and blend in with the tooth.
- Over-the-counter teeth whitening: Using over-the-counter whitening products such as toothpaste, mouthwash, gels, pastes, and strips may help reduce the look of the craze lines over time.
- In-office teeth whitening: In-office teeth whitening can be used to diminish the appearance of craze lines. Having professional teeth whitening services in Etobicoke is a more effective way to “treat” craze lines.
How to Prevent Craze Lines and Get a Perfect Smile
As craze lines cannot be 100% prevented, especially those caused by the natural aging process, here are some preventive steps you can take to reduce the appearance of the lines.
- Practice Good Oral Hygiene: Brushing and flossing twice daily can help reduce appearance by preventing staining of teeth.
- Limit Acidic Foods and Beverages: Acidic foods and drinks wears down the tooth enamel over time, allowing craze lines to be more visible.
- Wear a Night Guard: Teeth grinding while sleeping can contribute to craze lines as it adds pressure to the enamel.
- Use a Soft-Bristled Toothbrush: This is a vital preventive measure for craze lines as soft-bristle brushes are gentler on the enamel.
- Avoid Chewing Ice and Hard Objects: Reduce stress and pressure on the teeth by avoiding excessive force.
- Schedule Regular Dental Check-Ups: Your dentist can identify potential signs of craze lines developing before they becomes a serious issue.
Are Craze Lines the Same as Cracked Teeth?
No. Craze lines are hairline cracks on the surface of the enamel of a tooth. Craze lines do not require treatment. It is considered a cracked tooth when the underlying layers of either the dentin and/or pulp is fractured or cracked. A cracked tooth causes pain and requires immediate treatment by a dentist.
Princeview Dental Group is a dental clinic located in the heart of the historic Kingsway neighbourhood in Etobicoke, Ontario. We perform both cosmetic and general dental procedures to help you look and feel your best when it comes to improving your smile. For more information about our clinic or to schedule an appointment, please contact us today!
FAQ about Craze Lines on Teeth
1. Are craze lines normal?
The short answer is yes, craze lines are perfectly normal, and many people develop them as they get older. Craze lines can develop over a lifetime of chewing hard, crunchy foods, drinking hot and cold liquids or as a result of poor dental health. The point is that everyone at some point in their lives is likely to develop craze lines on their teeth, but it’s mostly a superficial cosmetic issue rather than a serious one.
2. Are craze lines a serious dental problem?
Not necessarily. In most cases, craze lines are caused by regular use of your teeth. Sometimes, they can be caused by dental trauma or as a result of using your teeth in a way you’re not supposed to such as opening bottles or ripping tags off of clothing. Certain bad habits you may have formed over time can contribute to the appearance of craze lines.
3. Can you feel craze lines in your teeth?
Craze lines are far too shallow for you to be able to feel them by running your tongue over the surface of your teeth, but you’ll definitely be able to spot them while smiling in front of a mirror. Depending on how discoloured they are, it’s unlikely that other people will be able to notice them as much as you do.
4. Are craze lines sensitive or painful?
Since craze lines are merely shallow cracks on the enamel or surface of your teeth, you shouldn’t experience any discomfort, sensitivity, pain or symptoms of any kind other than being able to see them on your teeth.
5. Do craze lines go away on their own?
Much like cavities, there’s no permanent cure or method of removing craze lines. Once you have them, they’re permanent. However, it’s possible to reduce the appearance of craze lines by either having them filled in, undergoing a tooth whitening procedure, or placing dental veneers over the affected teeth.
6. Can braces cause craze lines?
Craze lines are sometimes associated with having an uneven or crooked bite. Whether you have a severe underbite or overbite, the asymmetrical formation of your jaw can cause your teeth to rub up against one another every time you eat or speak. This places immense pressure on certain teeth which can cause cracks to form. Dentists will usually recommend braces or Invisalign treatment as a viable solution to correct this issue and align your teeth so that your bite is more consistent.
7. Do craze lines weaken teeth?
Craze lines don’t affect the internal or external structural integrity of your teeth in any way. They’re strictly a cosmetic issue.
8. Can a cracked tooth heal on its own?
Cracked teeth and craze lines aren’t necessarily the same thing, although it’s understandable why a lot of people might confuse the two with one another. When you tooth gets cracked, you’ll usually feel a series of symptoms like pain, sensitivity, and severe discomfort. Cracked teeth cause structural damage to both the dentin beneath the surface of the tooth and the external enamel of the tooth, sometimes reaching as far down as the root and exposing it. Craze lines are just shallow lines on the surface of the tooth. The one thing cracked teeth and craze lines on teeth have in common is that neither one can be healed, only remedied and made inconspicuous.
9. Do craze lines need treatment?
Not necessarily. Craze lines do not cause symptoms and are not considered a cosmetic concern for most people.
10. How do you reduce craze lines naturally?
Following prevention measures by wearing a night guard, avoiding nicotine and teeth staining products such as food and drinks can help reduce the appearance of craze lines.
11. Do craze lines turn into cracks?
Craze lines are tiny cracks of the tooth but usually do not develop into deep cracks.
12. Do craze lines turn darker?
They can transform from a translucent colouring to a dark colour with consumption of certain foods and beverages as well as use of tobacco products.
13. Are craze lines permanent?
Yes, craze lines are permanent but can be treated to be not as noticeable.
