How to Choose the Color of Your Braces

Co-authored by Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE

Last Updated: January 30, 2023 Approved

Braces become a part of your day-to-day appearance. They will become as much of part of your “style” as your shoes or your shirt. That is why picking a color can be so difficult. Do you have trouble deciding what color braces to get when you go to the orthodontist? If so, certain considerations may help you figure it out.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Selecting a Color

1
Look at a color wheel. Ask your orthodontist, or whoever is handling your braces, if they have a color wheel. A color wheel is a list of colors that you can use for braces. Do this before you get the braces so that you won't have to choose the colors on the spot.
- Study the shades on the color wheel. Keep in mind that the colors will look a bit lighter on your braces.
- Look at a color wheel online if you get a chance. Type in "braces color wheel" in a search engine and look for an interactive color wheel that lets you put the colors onto a picture of a mouth with braces. Experiment with different colors you might want to wear. Keep in mind that the colors you find online might not be offered by your orthodontist.
2
Pick meaningful colors. You can pair colors together, so you could consider using your braces to make a statement of some sort. Consider different combinations of colors, such as: ^{[1]
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- Your national colors. Red, white, and blue for America; red, white, and green for Mexico, etc.
- Your school colors.
- Your favorite sports team's colors.
- Holiday colors. Red and green for Christmas; black and orange for Halloween, etc.
- Colors of the rainbow (not always available).
- Your favorite color(s).
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3
Pick colors that work well with your skin. Consider colors that work well with your natural skin type and/or hair. Your skin type and hair color will have a big impact on the way your braces look. Choose colors that will work well with you, not colors that will clash with your hair or your skin type. ^{[2]
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- Darker skin tones and hair colors might look good in gold, dark blue, turquoise, orange, anise green, pastel blue, fuchsia, pink, or violet, although colors may depend on the person.
- Lighter skin tones and hair colors might look good in petrol blue, vermilion, bronze, caramel, salmon, green khaki, raspberry, bluish-red, plum, blue-green, and royal blue, although colors may depend on the person.
4
Pair your braces with your outfits. Consider colors that would work well with clothes you often wear. If your wardrobe features a lot of primary colors, getting braces in another primary color might be a good idea. If your clothes feature a lot of neon colors, getting braces in a neutral color (clear braces, for example) might be a good idea. Don't be afraid to think ahead! ^{[3]
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5
Eliminate the “ugly” colors. Rule out unsatisfying colors, strange colors, or your least favorite colors. Braces in bands that are black can look like little pieces of food stuck in your teeth. White seems like it would be a great choice, but, in fact, makes teeth look more yellow. ^{[4]
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6
Consider darker colors. Darker colors, such as dark purple and navy blue, make your teeth look whiter. So it may be wise to choose dark colors to offset from the natural color of your teeth.^{[5]
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7
Notify your orthodontist of your choice. Wait for your orthodontist to finish applying your braces then admire your braces in a mirror. Don’t worry if you don’t love the color pattern immediately. It may grow on you. If it doesn’t, you can change colors the next time you see your orthodontist.^{[6]
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8
Practice regular upkeep. The color of your braces really doesn’t matter if you don’t keep them clean. Keep your braces looking great by practicing good oral hygiene. Oral hygiene means taking care of your mouth, gums, and teeth. ^{[7]
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- Brush your teeth after each meal. If you're at school, consider bringing a small portable toothbrush with you to brush after snack and lunch. Try to hit all the teeth in your mouth; consider using a timer to time yourself so that you end up brushing for long enough. ^{[8]
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  Mayo Clinic
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- Floss your teeth at least once a day. Flossing gets between the teeth where the toothbrush won't reach, promoting healthier gums. Flossing with braces, however, can be a real pain. Use a floss threader to get the floss in between the gums, and then work in between each pair of teeth. ^{[9]
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  Mayo Clinic
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- Use mouthwash at least once a day. Mouthwash will help kill all the harmful bacteria that live in your mouth and contribute to tooth decay. Swishing mouthwash is easy, quick, and gives you great breath. ^{[10]
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  Mayo Clinic
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9
Consider changing the color. Change the color(s) of your bands every time you get your braces tightened. If you end up not liking the colors you chose, don't fret. You can change the color of your braces every time you have an appointment to get them tightened. Most orthodontists schedule appointments like this every 6 to 8 weeks.^{[11]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Keeping the Lowest Profile

1
Ask about Invisalign. Depending on the problem your braces are intended to fix, you may be able to choose Invisalign braces. These are clear trays that fit over your teeth, making it appear as if you are not wearing braces at all. If your goal is to eliminate the appearance of your braces, these are the ideal choice.^{[12]
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2
Select ceramic braces. Ceramic braces work the same way as metal braces but are designed to blend naturally with the teeth, using a tooth-colored ceramic and clear rubber bands. Next to Invisalign braces, which may not be possible for you, these are the next best option for keeping a low profile.^{[13]
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3
Select clear braces. Metal braces can be paired with clear rubber bands, minimizing the appearance of the braces against your teeth. If your goal is to minimize the appearance of your braces, you may choose no color at all rather than trying to select a creative or personalized color scheme.^{[14]
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- If you'll need to use ties on your braces, make sure to use clear or pearlescent to match your braces and make them less noticeable.
4
Avoid white braces. White might seem like the obvious choice, since your teeth are white. However, white braces not only make your teeth look yellow; they also get dirty fast. Especially if you drink dark drinks, like cola or coffee, white colors could change quickly to a less satisfying off-white.^{[15]
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5
Rule out gold or yellow. Yellow and gold braces can intensify the natural yellow color of teeth. So try to avoid yellow or gold unless your teeth are vibrantly white.^{[16]
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