The enamel on your teeth can be compared to a porcelain doll. While synthetic enamel is strong enough to take a beating as a child’s play thing, after a while, tiny cracks will begin to appear on the porcelain. Your teeth are covered with enamel, and even if it is the strongest substance in your entire body, teeth tend to get very used, and sometimes abused. When enamel succumbs to the rigors of time and misuse, you are at risk for developing small vertical fractures on your teeth called craze lines. Shrewsbury dentist, Dr. Todd Pizzi explains what you can do if you have craze lines, and how you might be able to prevent them from ever happening in the first place.
The Craze Line Cover Up
Craze lines are very shallow, so you shouldn’t worry that you’re a sitting duck for tooth decay or deeper cracks if you notice them on your teeth. The primary concern for people with craze lines is aesthetic. When food and drinks like coffee, red and purple berries, and wine get stuck in the cracks of your teeth, craze lines can become visible to the naked eye. Many patients opt for teeth whitening to cover up their craze lines. If your stains don’t respond to whitening, other cosmetic procedures such as tooth-colored fillings and porcelain veneers can help you restore your line-free smile.
How to Avoid Craze Lines
There’s no certain guarantee against vertical tooth fractures. However, the following things will put your teeth at a high risk for craze lines:
- Nail biting
- Pencil nibbling
- Using your teeth as a tool (to crack nuts, open bottles and packages, etc.)
- Wearing oral jewelry (lip and tongue rings)
- Bruxism (teeth grinding)
- Traumatic tooth injuries
Visit your Shrewsbury Dentist
Are you concerned that you have visible craze lines? Would you like to learn more about your cosmetic dental options? To learn more about preventive dental care, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Todd Pizzi, contact Modern Dentistry of Shrewsbury at (508) 842-8838. We welcome patients living in and around Worcester, North and South Grafton, Westborough, Southborough, and Northborough.
