Table of Contents
- Best Elastic Color Option
- Alternative Options
- Elastic Teeth Movement
- References
Why did you choose to get braces? If you're like most people, aesthetics drove your decision. You wanted your smile to look as beautiful as possible.
Unfortunately, braces aren't appealing to many people. A mouth filled with metal can look robotic rather than human. And you might find that all the gleaming hardware prompts people to use awkward nicknames like "metal mouth" when talking about you.
It's almost impossible to eliminate all the metal from your braces. Even if you choose clear or ceramic brackets, the wires that connect them are sometimes shiny and bright with metal.
But your doctor might use elastics during your braces treatment. If so, you could add a bit of color and flair to your smile. For some people, that added dash of fashion is just enough to lower the impact of metal and make their treatment bearable.
While your braces will probably be silvery with metal, you'll have plenty of elastic items that can be as colorful as you'd like
What Color Is Best for Your Elastics?
Bands come in almost every color you can think of. In fact, your orthodontist might show you a wheel of colors that looks a lot like something you'd see inside the paint department at the hardware store.
Researchers say that both men and women often choose blue as their favorite color. If you have a hue that calls to you, chances are, your orthodontist can apply it to your teeth.
But if you don't have a favorite color, think about:
Your diet. Do you drink a lot of coffee and tea? Are blueberries and pomegranates your favorite fruits? Light-colored bands can pick up stains from the items you eat and drink. A darker color might be better for you.
Your tooth color. Are your teeth gleaming white? Or are they closer to yellow? Choose yellow bands, and your teeth will look even more discolored. And bright, white bands can make your teeth look darker too.
Your skin coloring. Bright colors look great in people with darker skin. If you're fair, a warm color might be better for you.
Upcoming events. Dress up your smile with holiday colors. Or pick out a hue that works well with an outfit you're wearing to a wedding or important dance.
Lifestyle issues. You might love brown and green. But food often takes on these colors, and your bands can look like items trapped in your teeth.
You're not stuck with the same color throughout your treatment journey. Each time you visit your orthodontist, you'll get new bands. So experiment, and choose a different color each time to spice up your smile.
What Else Can You Try?
Add color to your braces with bands, and your smile is bound to get noticed. For some people, that's a problem.
You may want a brighter, better smile. But you may not want people to notice and comment on all of your hard work. If you're a private or sensitive person, adding color can add to your embarrassment, not reduce it.
Aligners can also move your teeth, and studies suggest that people think clear aligners are more attractive than braces. People who look closely at your mouth may see your trays. But you won't call attention to them with garish colors and plenty of metal. They'll just be there, quietly working on your perfect smile.
How Does Elastic Move Your Teeth?
If you're surprised at the idea of using latex with your braces, you're not alone. Many people had no idea that their path to a perfect smile might involve something loose and rubbery.
Your orthodontist might use one or all three of these elastic forms during your treatment plan:
Ligatures: Brackets affixed to the front of your teeth have a gap just wide enough for a tiny band. Wires connect all of your brackets, and that band keeps the wire in place. You can't remove these bands at home, but each time you visit your doctor, you'll get a new set.
Rubber bands: A few of your brackets are customized with hooks for larger bands. Your doctor might stretch some from your upper jaws to the lower to pull your bite into alignment. You can take these bands off to eat and brush, but they should stay on throughout most of your day.
Power chains: If your smile is marred by several gaps (including those caused by pulled or missing teeth), your orthodontist might use long, twisted sets of rubber bands called power chains to add to the pulling power and close up the space.
If you have all of these bands filling your mouth at once, people may see very little metal when you smile. Researchers say most people like braces with very little metal. The more we can see, the more uncomfortable we are.
But some people don't need all of these elastic types. You might need just one or two bands on your journey to the smile you always wanted.
Disclaimer: This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to serve as dental or other professional health advice and is not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any condition or symptom. You should consult a dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.
FAQs
Braces Colors for Different Skin Tones
How to decide what color braces to get? ›
Braces Colours and Your Skin Tone
You can choose colours of braces to help complement your skin tone. If you have dark or olive skin, opt for bright jewel tones, like gold, turquoise, violet or navy. If you have fair skin, cool colours look best, so try silver, sky blue, light pink or lilac.
What is the best color for braces in 2024? ›
Pretty Pastels: Gentle pastel tones like blush pink, pale green, and light blue are all in vogue in 2024. They're ideal for adding a delicate splash of color to your braces and go well with pastel outfits. Glistening Metallics: Shades like silver, golden, and blush metal are classic options that complement any look.
What are the best and worst colours for braces? ›
Braces & Teeth Colour Correction
Avoid yellow or orange bands, which don't contrast as much and can make your teeth look yellow as well. While white might seem like a good idea, your teeth might look dull in contrast, and white bands can actually stain over time, so it's best to choose another colour.
What are the top 3 best colors for braces? ›
Some of the most popular colors are clear, white, and gray. Depending on your orthodontist and their customization options, other colors may be available as well.
What is the number one best color for braces? ›
Colors like hunter green and navy blue are popular. These colors can give a subtle yet stylish look to your braces. On the other hand, if you're looking for the best braces colors for a feminine look, lighter colors such as light blue or gold are often the best choices.
What is the best color for braces to make your teeth look white? ›
The best way to make your teeth whiter is to use darker color rubber bands for your braces. Dark green, navy blue, purple, or even black bands can provide a strong contrast with your teeth, making them look lighter by comparison. That said, it's worth mentioning that some colors are a tough pick for braces in general.
What is the most unnoticeable color of braces? ›
Clear bands are the most suitable, unnoticeable ceramic braces color choice for adults.
Which braces colors don't stain? ›
Grey or silver will be great choices if you want stain proof that fits your metal braces well. Certain patients also decide that colors for food bits–e.g., green can be avoided. For obvious reasons, yellow is also quite unpopular!
What are the best colors for braces for a 13 year old? ›
If you have dark or olive skin, jewel tones like turquoise, violet or navy can look lovely. But if you have fairer tones, then you can go for cooler colours like silver or pastel colours. You can also match your braces colours with your eyes to make them pop!
What are the finest colors for girls' braces? The following are some of the best braces colors for girls: Pink, pale blue, muted crimson, dark purple, or silver is all options for a lady with a lighter skin tone. Dark blue, pink & turquoise, a violet color is a suitable options for girls who have a darker complexion.
How many colors can you choose for braces? ›
Braces come in over 80 different colors, including black, white, red, blue, green, and purple, as well as more exotic colors such as glow in the dark, metallic gold, and tooth-colored. You can mix and match these colors and change them every adjustment.
What to do if you hate your braces color? ›
If you do not like the colors you've chosen immediately, they might grow on you. If the colors don't grow on you, you only have to wear them for a few weeks before you can have them swapped out at your next orthodontist appointment.
Do you get to pick the color of your braces the first time? ›
Since bands are changed about every 4-6 weeks, you'll have the chance to choose the colors many times over the course of your treatment. Get creative and have fun experimenting with it! You can choose your braces colors based on anything from your mood to the holidays to your favorite sports team.
Can you choose two colors for braces? ›
The elastic bands that surround your brackets come in every color of the rainbow. Because you can pick multiple colors at once, the possibilities are nearly endless, but there are a few things to keep in mind as you make your choice.
What color braces make your teeth look whiter? ›
Make your teeth look whiter – Darker shades like royal/navy blue, purple, and even black can make the color of your teeth appear whiter. Even so, be aware that colors like dark green and brown can look like food. What about white braces – Although this may be a color you were thinking of, you may want to stray away.
Do you get to pick a color when you first get braces? ›
You can choose as many colors as you would like. Now that you have your braces on, you may be wondering how to care for them. At Veil & Wild Orthodontics we take oral hygiene very seriously and are always checking to make sure you are taking proper care of your teeth at each appointment.
What color braces should I get if I have yellow teeth? ›
If you are someone suffering from yellow teeth, then you should know that getting colorful braces is not the right option for you but if you still want to get these colorful bands then the best options for yellow teeth are silver bands and black bands.
Should I get light or dark blue braces? ›
If you have light skin, bright colors like red and orange will look great on you. On the other hand, if you have dark skin, colors like white and light blue will be more flattering. Dark hair means you can go for silver-colored braces which will blend in well with your hair color and won't stand out too much from it.
