Craze Lines in Your Twenties: What They Are and What To Do About Them

What are craze lines?

Craze lines are small, superficial cracks in the teeth. They are usually vertical, going from the top of the tooth to the bottom. Craze lines can be the same color as the tooth, but they can also be slightly discolored, yellow or brown.

They are a relatively common occurrence. Craze lines most frequently occur on the front teeth, as teeth towards the front of the mouth tend to be thinner and more fragile than molars.

Craze lines usually only affect the enamel of the tooth. As a result, craze lines are largely visual and do not indicate deeper injury to the tooth. They do not tend to be accompanied by major tooth sensitivity, although they can cause a little sensitivity.

Though you might be afraid that craze lines will progress into larger cracks, that is actually very uncommon. They are not painful and don’t usually pose a health risk.

What causes craze lines?

Craze lines are a result of general wear and tear on the teeth. They can also be caused by minor injuries.

Bruxism

Bruxism refers to tooth grinding. Grinding your teeth can put stress on your tooth, leading to minute cracks.

A way to minimize the effects of bruxism is wearing a nightguard when you sleep. Additionally, teeth grinding is generally caused by stress. By addressing the stressors in your life, you may be better able to reduce your chances of further craze lines.

Chewing

Craze lines can be caused by everyday chewing. If you do see craze lines on your teeth, it does not necessarily mean you have not been taking proper care of them.

However, certain types of food are more likely to cause craze lines. These include sugary and acidic foods, which cause the enamel in your teeth to weaken.

Misaligned teeth

Misaligned teeth can increase the risk of experiencing craze lines. Having misaligned teeth often puts more stress on some teeth than others. These teeth are thus subjected to more of the wear and tear that eventually leads to craze lines.

Biting your nails

Biting your nails, like bruxism, is another nervous habit that can lead to craze lines. Biting your nails puts extra stress on your teeth, which can wear down your enamel.

Biting hard objects

Just like biting your nails, any habit that involves chewing can increase your chances of craze lines. This is exasperated by chewing anything harder than your average meal.

Certain habits like chewing pens, ice cubes, plastic, or other hard objects can increase your risk for craze lines.

Tobacco

Smoking, chewing, or other use of tobacco products can negatively affect a person’s dental hygiene. Tobacco can cause plaque to build up on teeth much faster than it would otherwise. Additionally, smokeless tobacco, such as chewing tobacco, contains sand or grit, which can scratch against your teeth. As a result, the protective enamel layer of teeth can become worn down.

Because of this, tobacco users are at higher risk for developing craze lines.

Craze lines vs tooth fractures

How can you tell if the lines in your tooth are craze lines or more serious tooth fractures?

Craze lines are not the same as tooth fractures. Tooth fractures are large, painful fractures that may lead to the tooth breaking or splitting. They can expose the sensitive inner layers of tooth, the dentin, and the pulp. Tooth fractures are a medical emergency, and if you find yourself experiencing one, you should seek a dentist as soon as possible.

Tooth fractures differ from craze lines because the fracture reaches beyond the enamel, exposing the deeper layers of the tooth.

So, what are the distinguishing characteristics between craze lines and tooth fractures?

• Sensitivity: With craze lines, you usually don’t experience temperature sensitivity while you eat. Some people do feel minor hot or cold sensitivity, but it does not get beyond an inconvenience. However, if someone is experiencing a tooth fracture, they will feel major sensitivity to temperature.
• Swelling: Craze lines are not often accompanied by further swelling in the mouth. Tooth fractures, on the other hand, can cause visible swelling and redness.
• Pain: Craze lines are not painful, besides occasional minor temperature sensitivity. Tooth fractures can be moderately to severely painful.

How can you get rid of craze lines?

If you find yourself with craze lines, there is a miniscule chance they will fix by themselves. The tooth enamel has on some occasions been seen to regrow. However, for the most part, craze lines are permanent.

If you are looking for a way to get rid of them, thankfully, there are cosmetic dental procedures that can reverse the effects of craze lines.

Dental bonding

Dental bonding is a non-invasive procedure meant to improve the appearance of the teeth. It is usually performed for more minor teeth injuries, such as scratches and discoloration. Dental bonding is completely reversible and does not usually cause any damage to the underlying tooth.

During dental bonding, the dentist will place tooth-colored resin on the craze lines in your teeth. The resin will then be shaped until it perfectly resembles your original tooth, just without the craze line.

Veneers

Veneers are another common treatment for craze lines. Veneers are tooth-colored materials that are placed in front of teeth. They are often used for discoloration, chipped teeth, crooked teeth, and damaged teeth.

Veneers are usually made of porcelain, ceramic, or resin (also known as composite veneers). A veneer will cover the whole tooth that contains the craze line. Sometimes, placing veneers involves the removal of some of the original tooth.

How can you prevent craze lines in the first place?

Once you find yourself with craze lines, you may want to find ways to prevent new ones from forming in the future.

In some cases, craze lines cannot necessarily be prevented. Some people get them frequently as they grow older due to a genetic predisposition.

But there are some ways you can help. Preventing yourself from grinding your teeth could help stop further craze lines from forming. In addition, pay attention to what you chew. Hard objects, like your nails, can wear your teeth down.

If you have more questions about craze lines, reach out to Dr. Elizabeth Wakim for advice on procedures, prevention, and more.