How to Choose Your Braces Colors
There are many important things to consider when you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment, such as which foods to eat and how to keep your teeth clean. Another factor is the color of your braces. Do you want your braces to be discreet or do you want them to make a statement?
If you’re not sure which colors to pick for your braces, the guide below will provide you with plenty of ideas and inspiration. And our interactive braces color chooser tool will allow you to see how different colors and combinations might look before committing to them.
If you want to go straight to the tool, you can do so here. Otherwise, keep reading for some tips on how to choose the best braces colors for you.
Contents
- Braces Colors You May Want to Avoid
- Least Noticeable Braces Colors
- Braces Colors to Make Your Teeth Look Whiter
- Braces Colors to Complement Your Skin Tone, Hair, and Eyes
- Other Ways to Pick Your Braces Colors
- Interactive Braces Color Chooser
Braces Colors You May Want to Avoid
There really is no “wrong” choice when it comes to your braces colors; the most important thing is that you’re happy with how they look.
Still, there are some colors that can create less than desirable optical illusions: Black and dark gray, for example, can look like tooth decay. Orange, brown, and green might give people the impression that you have food stuck in your teeth. Red can be mistaken for bleeding gums.
And, although white may sound like a great option for those wanting a minimal look, it can actually make your teeth look much yellower than they really are, as even the “whitest” of teeth are rarely a true white color. Yellows have a similar effect as they tend to enhance the yellow tone in your teeth.
Least Noticeable Braces Colors
While we think it’s a great idea to have some fun with your braces colors, we understand that some want a more discreet appearance for their braces, either for personal or professional reasons.
If that’s the case for you and you don’t have braces yet, you may want to ask about clear or ceramic braces, or clear aligners during your consultation. If you already have or will be getting metal braces, then clear, light gray, or light silver bands will be your best choice.
Just keep in mind that clear (and other light colors) are prone to staining, so try to avoid foods and beverages that are known to stain such as coffee, tea, wine and dark juices, and turmeric during your orthodontic treatment (or at least rinse with water after drinking/eating).
Braces Colors to Make Your Teeth Look Whiter
In general, dark colors will create enough contrast to make your teeth appear whiter. We mentioned above that black or dark gray could create the illusion of tooth decay; if you want to avoid that issue then stick with dark blues and purples.
Braces Colors to Complement Your Skin Tone, Hair, and Eyes
If you want to make sure you’re always putting your best brace-face forward, choose braces colors that match your eyes or complement your natural skin tone:
Cool Tones—If you have light eyes, blonde to light brown hair, and fair to light skin with pink undertones, you most likely fall into the “cool” category. Pastels, light or emerald greens, purples, and blues will look best on you.
Warm Tones—If you have brown or hazel eyes, darker hair, and a golden, olive, or dark skin tone with peach or yellow undertones, you most likely fall into the “warm” category. Braces colors that will look best on you include reds, oranges, earth tones, olive-type greens, and bright pinks or purples.
Some people have neutral undertones, which means they look great in pretty much any color! Regardless of which category your skin tone happens to be in, remember these are only guidelines and, ultimately, the most important thing is that you like the colors you choose for your braces.
Other Ways to Pick Your Braces Colors
Your Favorite Things
An obvious choice for your braces is to go with your favorite color(s). You could also match your braces to your favorite piece of jewelry, shoes, or item of clothing (or the most dominant color of clothing you own).
If you’re into sports, you may want to choose your favorite team’s colors for your braces. You could even pick your braces colors based on your favorite superhero!
Your School Colors
Show off your spirit with braces based on your school’s colors!
Holidays
Get festive with braces colors based on your favorite holidays: Red, white, and pinks for Valentine’s Day, greens for St. Patrick’s Day, red, white, and blue for patriotic holidays, orange, purple, and black for Halloween, and red and green for Christmas are just a few of the color combos you could go with.
Seasons
A great way to break things up throughout the year is to change your braces colors each season. Pick pastels or lighter colors for spring, Bright or beachy colors for summer, neutrals and darker colors for autumn, and jewel tones or cooler colors for winter.
Organizations and Charities
You may want to choose your braces colors based on an organization you belong to or a charity that is close to your heart.
The truth is, there are infinite ways to choose the color of your braces, and the only limit is your imagination. You are going to be wearing braces for months or even years, so you might as well have some fun with it!
Now that you have some ideas for your braces colors, try them out on the color chooser tool below. And if you’re considering getting braces in the Vancouver, WA area, give us a call or email us to set up your FREE consultation today!
TopInteractive Braces Color Chooser
Instructions: Click on a color swatch, then click either directly on the teeth or on one of the buttons below to change the color.
