Changing the color of the dental laminate is a common problem that can have several reasons, including lack of oral and dental hygiene, consumption of colored food and drinks, smoking, and the passage of time. To maintain the beauty and longevity of the laminate, it is necessary to observe strict hygiene, avoid harmful habits and visit the dentist regularly. Timely diagnosis of the cause of discoloration and choosing the right treatment method by the dentist can help to restore the beauty of the smile. The laminate of our teeth, like any other part of the body, can be affected by various external and internal factors. For example, it may crack, rot, or become discolored. But what exactly is meant by this effect and, in general, what factors have the greatest effect on changing the color of the dental laminate, are topics that we will continue to explain more and more fully. The main reasons for changing the color of the dental laminate As you surely know, dental lamination is a thin, customized covering that is placed on the front surface of your teeth and makes the appearance of those teeth much more uniform, whiter and more attractive. This synthetic piece is usually made of ceramic and is inherently resistant to color change. However, despite its high resistance, it may change color with the passage of time and the aggravation of some factors. In the following, we will examine a number of the main reasons for changing the color of the laminate together: - Laminate material - Consumption of colored food and drinks - Smoking - Non-observance of oral and dental hygiene - The passage of time - Increasing age - Laminate installation time has passed - Having oral and dental diseases - Failure to fully prepare the teeth before installing the laminate ### 1- Laminate material The first and most important factor that increases the possibility of changing the color of the dental laminate is the material used to make the laminate. Laminates are generally made of two main materials, ceramic and composite. Each of these types has its own characteristics and advantages and naturally reacts differently to color change. Because of their dense and non-porous structure, ceramic laminates (or glass edge laminates) have a very high resistance to stains and discoloration. They also look very similar to natural teeth; Their resistance to pigments in food and drinks is very high. This is why ceramic laminate can maintain its white and shiny appearance for a long time. On the other hand, composite laminates are more susceptible to pigment absorption and color change than ceramic dental laminates due to their more porous structure. Colored foods and drinks, nicotine in cigarettes and other external factors can easily penetrate into the pores of composite laminates and cause their color to change. ### 2- Consumption of colored food and drinks Pigments in food can stick to the surface of the laminate and change its color over time. In this situation, the more contact the laminate has with these materials, the more likely it is to change its color. Foods and beverages such as tea, coffee, colored soft drinks, soy sauce and some colored fruits and vegetables contain pigments that can penetrate the laminate. Over time, these pigments penetrate deep into the laminate and cause its permanent color change. Of course, remember that in addition to the type of food or drink, the duration of their contact with the laminate is also effective in the amount of color change of your laminate. That is, the longer the colored materials are in contact with the laminate, the more likely the pigments will penetrate into the laminate. That's why the dentists of Dr. Benianian Dental Clinic recommend you to brush your teeth after consuming colored foods and drinks! ### 3- Smoking Another important factor that can change the color of the dental laminate is smoking. Because cigarette smoke contains thousands of harmful chemicals that are not only harmful to general health, but also have a destructive effect on teeth and laminates. Nicotine and tar present in cigarette smoke stick to teeth and laminates and cause yellow and brown spots on them. Over time, these stains will become darker to such an extent that it will be very difficult to remove them. In addition, the chemicals in cigarette smoke can make the surface of the dental laminate uneven and create conditions where the pigments in food and drinks can easily penetrate your laminate and cause it to change color. Don't forget that smoking has many, many harms to you, your general health and the condition of your mouth and teeth, and changing the color of the dental laminate is just one of the side effects of this smoking! ### 4- Non-observance of oral and dental hygiene We all know that laminate teeth need daily care several times more than natural teeth. Because whatever it is, laminate is a synthetic piece that shows more vulnerability to external factors. When we do not maintain our oral hygiene properly, plaque and tartar accumulate on the surface of our laminates. Plaque is a thin layer of bacteria and food that continuously forms on the teeth. If this plaque is not removed regularly, it will first harden and then turn into a mass. Due to its dark and rough color, the mass changes the color of the laminate. In addition, bacteria in plaque and tartar produce acid and can damage tooth enamel and laminates. As a result, they first cause inflammation of the gums and gum diseases, and then they change the color of the laminate of your teeth. ### 5- The passage of time Another reason for changing the color of dental laminate, which is considered one of the natural and inevitable reasons, is the passage of time. That is, even though more time passes after the installation of dental laminate, its color becomes darker and darker. However, please note that we do not mean a sudden and drastic color change. Rather, we mean a gradual and slow color change over a period of 10 to 15 years, which appears as a partial darkening or yellowing of the laminate. ### 6- Increasing age Although laminates were designed to maintain the whiteness and beauty of the smile; But with the passage of time and age, we may see slight changes in their color. Color change that has various reasons. One of the main reasons for this phenomenon is the natural changes of the body with age. With age, collagen production in the body decreases. Collagen is a protein that gives strength and elasticity to the skin and body tissues, including teeth. The decrease in collagen production causes the teeth, and consequently the laminates, to become slightly yellower and duller over time, and in some cases even provides the basis for tooth decay under the laminate. In addition to reducing collagen, food habits and lifestyle are also effective in changing the color of laminates with age. For example, in most cases, the older a person gets, the more he likes certain foods (such as tea) or the use of certain tobacco products (such as cigarettes). So, we can find a direct relationship between aging and the dullness of their teeth. ### 7- Having oral and dental diseases Having oral and dental diseases is another main reason for changing the color of the dental laminate. Because these diseases can directly or indirectly affect the color and appearance of the laminate of your teeth. Gum diseases (such as gingivitis and periodontitis) are among these diseases. They cause the gums to move away from the teeth and create a space between the teeth and gums. As a result, this space becomes a place for food to get stuck or bacteria to accumulate, and over time, it causes tooth decay and discoloration of the laminates. **Nazi Benianian:** > Tooth decay itself is a separate factor for the black color of the tooth laminate. Because it darkens the tooth under this thin shell. The darkening of the teeth in this situation will increase to such an extent that it can be seen even on the laminate! ### 8- Excessive use of fluoride Too much fluoride can even damage your natural teeth. What about dental laminate, which is a thin and artificial shell! So if you laminate your teeth, remember that consuming too much fluoride will make your teeth yellow first and then dark. A study in the journal Acta Odontologica Latinoamericana has investigated that the use of acidulated fluoride solution (1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride) along with bleaching reduces the glossiness of dental ceramics. Especially when "bleaching + fluoride" are used at the same time. **Source:** Effect of bleaching agent and topical fluoride application on color and gloss of dental ceramics ### 9- **Consumption of some drugs** Certain medications (especially antibiotics, anti-allergy medications, and heart medications) can cause tooth discoloration and, as a result, discoloration of the laminates. Because they cause the accumulation of pigments in the teeth, which change the color of the teeth over time. Of course, there is another reason for this! It is also that some medicines cause dry mouth. Dry mouth also indirectly leads to the darkening of the color of the tooth laminate. That is, it creates a suitable environment for the growth of bacteria and the creation of plaque, and with this, they lead to the change of the color of the laminates. ### 10- Using inappropriate toothpaste or toothbrush Some toothpastes, due to having many abrasive particles, can damage the surface of the laminates over time and cause scratches and discoloration in them. Using hard and rough toothbrushes is another factor that can damage your tooth enamel and the surface of your laminates. Therefore, it is better to use toothpastes with a low abrasive index (RDA) and toothbrushes with medium softness to maintain the health and beauty of the laminate of your teeth. How should we prevent the discoloration of dental laminate? If you want to protect your tooth enamel from discoloration, you need to make some basic changes in your lifestyle. Changes that not only prevent the discoloration of the laminate of your teeth, but also prolong the life of your laminates. For example, one of the most important factors in preserving the color of laminates is oral and dental hygiene. Regular brushing with non-abrasive toothpaste and daily flossing prevent the accumulation of plaque and bacteria that can cause discoloration of the laminate. The use of antibacterial mouthwashes (if approved by the dentist) is another factor that is included in this category. The following table will teach you various explanations and tricks to prevent discoloration of dental laminate. Does changing the color of dental laminate have any side effects? yes Changing the color of the tooth laminate can be a sign of problems such as plaque and mass accumulation, tooth decay under the laminate, and gum problems. As a result, it can lead to complications and problems such as difficulty in chewing, speaking and reducing a person's self-confidence. What should we do if the laminate of our teeth changes color? If the color of the laminate of your teeth becomes dark, there is no need to worry. Because this problem happens to many people who use laminate. You can go to the dentist to solve this problem and restore the beauty of your smile. Because by carefully examining your laminates, the dentist will determine the cause of their color change and offer you the best solution. Common solutions to fix laminate color change - **Professional cleaning:** The dentist can clean stains and debris on the laminate using special tools and methods such as specialized tooth bleaching. - **Laminate replacement:** If the color change is severe or the useful life of the laminate is over, the dentist may suggest to replace the old laminates with new ones. - **Whitening of the teeth under the laminate:** In some cases, the change in the color of the laminate is due to the change in the color of the underlying teeth. In this case, the dentist can whiten the underlying teeth to improve the appearance of the laminates. ### Summary of the issue of changing the color of dental laminate Dental laminate, despite its high durability, may change color due to reasons such as lack of hygiene, use of colored substances, and the passage of time. Visiting a dentist to diagnose the cause and choose the right treatment method is the best solution to maintain the beauty of laminates.