You probably expect the tooth enamel covering your teeth to be smooth and uniform in appearance, but if you look more closely, you may notice it has tiny craze lines or cracks on its surface. So, is this cause for concern, or is it nothing to worry about?
Generally, these craze lines are not a cause for concern. They probably don’t go any further than the tooth enamel and won’t affect the integrity of the tooth. They are a bit like a cracked glaze on a piece of pottery. The only real concern for these superficial cracks is the cosmetic effects.
Why Do Teeth Develop Craze Lines?
Most often, craze lines in teeth are due to general wear and tear and are often found in older people’s teeth. However, certain habits can worsen them. For example, if you use your teeth as tools or bite your nails, it puts additional stress on your teeth and can potentially begin to crack and chip them. Other bad oral habits include crunching down on ice cubes or doing anything other than using your teeth to eat food. In addition, people with oral jewellery, especially tongue piercings, will often knock the piercing against their teeth, and this can also cause small cracks or craze lines in teeth or more serious damage to teeth and gums.
Another potential cause for craze lines is bruxism. With bruxism, people clench and grind their teeth, and it’s often a nocturnal habit, so you may be unaware you have this issue. Teeth grinding and clenching is very hard on the enamel, and it can cause substantial damage to your teeth, gums and even your jaw joints.
If you think you may have bruxism in Oshawa, come and see us for a dental exam and diagnosis. We can often treat bruxism very simply by providing a custom-made night splint, a plastic guard you wear during sleep and which prevents your teeth from contacting so they grind harmlessly against the night guard.
Teeth-Staining and Craze Lines
If you do have craze lines, you might have noticed that they have begun to look stained. This is because lifestyle habits like drinking tea, coffee and red wine or acidic beverages like soda can stain teeth, making these cracks stand out more easily. Another lifestyle habit that can stain teeth is smoking or using any form of tobacco products and is another reason for trying to quit this habit. Usually, the staining won’t respond to normal brushing and flossing, but if it bothers you, ask us about professional teeth whitening in Whitby. Margolian Dentistry can provide treatments using professional-grade products to brighten your teeth safely and effectively.
When to Be Concerned About Craze Lines?
While craze lines aren’t generally a problem, deeper cracks or lines on your teeth that seem to be getting bigger need investigation. Any form of crack in a tooth must be assessed in case treatment is needed to protect the tooth. One way to tell is if a tooth begins feeling more sensitive. Craze lines shouldn’t cause any tooth sensitivity or pain, but a crack in a tooth can create these symptoms. Signs that you may have a cracked tooth include increased sensitivity to hot and cold foods, pain when you try to bite or chew food, or noticing the gum around a tooth has become swollen. If you think you might have a cracked tooth in Ajax, visit our dentist. We can quickly diagnose the problem and provide appropriate treatment if needed.
