The crazing line on teeth is a minor cosmetic dentistry problem that can make your smile look less attractive and even cause you to feel self-conscious about it. But don’t fret! Here’s what craze lines are, why they form on teeth, and how you can treat them effectively.
What Are Craze Lines on Teeth?
A craze line, or crack in a tooth, is typically an unsightly defect on a person’s smile. The white part of your teeth is made up of millions of microscopic layers that include enamel and dentin. When these layers break down due to trauma, they can form cracks—which you see as craze lines or stress fractures. In most cases, they occur as a result of grinding one’s teeth at night while sleeping or biting down too hard on food. (Hence why many people experience them after biting into ice cubes.) Once they appear, whether during childhood or adulthood, it is possible to get rid of them through a few different dental procedures: removing decay underneath or whitening services.
How Do I Fix Craze Lines on My Teeth?
If you’re not happy with your smile, you don’t have to be embarrassed. If you have craze lines on your teeth and want to know how to fix them, a lot of people are unhappy with their smile due to these streaks that make it look like they are aging quickly. These lines can appear at any time in life and might not only be genetic but also caused by staining or abrasion. There are several ways that you can treat craze lines on teeth: whitening toothpaste, whitening strips or laser bleaching. Although taking good care of your teeth will help prevent future damages, it is never too late to address what has already occurred.
What Causes Craze Lines in the First Place?
Craze lines (also known as stress fractures) are tiny cracks in your teeth. They can form when teeth are under pressure—most commonly from clenching and grinding, but sometimes from chewing hard foods like ice or raw vegetables. In some cases, craze lines can be caused by trauma or injury to your mouth. Most dentists agree that craze lines typically appear on front teeth first and progress outward across a row of teeth—usually on a person’s top or bottom jaws. You can identify craze lines because they tend to be darker than normal tooth enamel and they often form jagged streaks rather than straight crevices. Furthermore, if you rub gently along a craze line with your finger, you might notice that it’s warm to the touch.
Can I Prevent Craze Lines From Forming in the Future?
Craze line, if left untreated, can permanently damage your teeth. Fortunately, it is easy to prevent craze lines by avoiding habits that cause them in your teeth. Using tobacco and clenching or grinding your teeth while you sleep are common causes of craze lines; stopping these habits can greatly reduce your chances of developing them. If you have already developed craze lines in your teeth, however, you’ll need professional dental treatment to fix them. Your dentist may choose to fill or polish your teeth in order to restore their original appearance and texture.
Conclusion
There are no conclusive studies to tell us why these microscopic lines appear on our teeth. Most dentists believe they’re a natural byproduct of tooth decay or chronic oral conditions. Although they may not be a big deal, some people experience them regularly and find it disconcerting—especially when it comes to applying lipstick, or just feeling self-conscious. But there is a simple solution if you feel they’re causing you the trouble: Get in touch with your dentist who can use restorative methods like resin fillings to mask them and help boost your confidence again. Over time, craze lines can become very faint (or disappear altogether) and often become more visible after dental treatments such as emergency root canal therapy or crowns.
