Dentures: Facts, Figures and Friendly Advice for Seniors

Are Craze Lines Bad for Your Teeth?

13 July 2023

Herman Kim

Have you noticed what looks like small cracks covering some of your teeth? Those tiny cracks on your teeth are craze lines. Craze lines sometimes appear on teeth over time, because of wear and tear. But in most cases, craze lines are not a serious issue.

Craze lines are usually a cosmetic issue for patients because they affect the appearance of the teeth, especially those teeth in the front of the mouth. However, craze lines may be a sign of underlying issues that you need to treat before the problem worsens.

Here are some serious dental issues that can cause craze lines to appear on teeth.

Bruxism

Craze lines form on teeth because of wear and tear. And sometimes, that wear and tear might be because of bruxism or nocturnal grinding of the teeth. Nocturnal grinding is a condition that some children suffer, and stress and tooth misalignment can also cause bruxism. So, if you wake up with a sore jaw and headache sometimes, and you have craze lines on your teeth, bruxism might be to blame.

Eventually, those craze lines could turn into cracks and chips. So it's important that you see your dentist to confirm whether bruxism is the cause of the craze lines on your teeth or not.

Misaligned teeth

When teeth are not in proper alignment, when you chew or speak, your teeth may collide with each other unnaturally. This causes advanced wear and tear, which starts as craze lines, and then may progress to become cracks and chips. If your teeth are misaligned, and you have craze lines, then consider seeing an orthodontist to correct your misaligned teeth before the damage worsens.

Chewing on hard objects

Teeth undergo a lot of use over a lifetime, but they are strong enough to last a lifetime as long as you only chew food. If you chew hard objects like pens, nails, and ice, your teeth will suffer. Craze lines are just the beginning of a gradual deterioration that chewing on hard objects causes. If you chew on hard objects such as ice, and you see craze lines in your teeth, exchange the hard objects for gum.

If you have craze lines on your teeth, they may be caused by one of the conditions mentioned in this article. If you suspect that your craze lines have a serious underlying cause, see your dentist for a checkup soon. You can also speak to your dentist about cosmetic dental work to hide the craze lines and improve the appearance of your teeth.

Contact a dentist in your area to learn more.

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