Craze lines sound like they could be some fun new dance craze sweeping the nation. Unfortunately, the reality of craze lines is not much of a party at all. These surface fractures on the enamel of your teeth may very well drive you crazy if you have them. The vertical lines can be particularly irritating if they are on your most visible front teeth and become stained over time. You deserve to have a smile that you can feel confident about. So, if your craze lines are driving you insane, Rochester dentist, Dr. Gilly Calcagno will explain how you can repair them.
Craze Line Creation
You can’t necessarily control whether or not you might develop craze lines. If you sustain a traumatic injury, for example, there may not be much you could’ve done to prevent the fractures. There are certain habits to avoid, however. Repetitive behaviors that involve your teeth such as nibbling on pencils, biting your nails, or using your teeth as a tool, can all cause tooth enamel fractures. If you’re wondering exactly what “using your tooth as a tool” means, have you ever tried to open a glass bottle, crack a nut, or remove a lid with your teeth? Also avoid wearing oral jewelry (tongue and lip rings). If you grind your teeth, see your dentist about wearing a mouthguard before you do any long term damage to your teeth.
Are Craze Lines Erasable?
Unfortunately, you can’t technically erase fractures in your tooth enamel. However, they are possible to cover up. Craze lines are shallow, so the good news is, even if you leave them alone, you won’t be at a higher risk for tooth decay because the enamel is still technically intact. As long as you stick to proper oral hygiene and visit your dentist for regular checkups, the only real issue from vertical tooth fractures is aesthetic. Coffee, tobacco, and dark foods and beverages can get stuck in the cracks of your teeth. This will make craze lines much more obvious to the naked eye. Professional teeth whitening can sometimes help. If your craze lines don’t respond to teeth bleaching, porcelain veneers may be your best option to erase those lines.
ABOUT YOUR ROCHESTER DENTISTS:
Calcagno Cosmetic and Family Dentistry offer expert services including teeth whitening, Six Month Smiles, Clear Aligner Systems, root canals, and pediatric dentistry. To schedule a consultation, please call (507) 218-8936. Dr. Gilly Calcagno and Dr. Kara Heimer welcome and serve patients from Rochester, Red Wing, St. Charles, Winona, Farmington, Austin, and the surrounding communities.
