Every person has their own preferences when it comes to the color of their braces. From time to time, you may even have considered what your ideal color would be if you got braces! But did you know that there’s a braces color wheel and that it actually makes it easier to choose? In this article, we’ll explain how to pick the best braces colors based on your own preferences using the braces color wheel. Read on to learn more!
Not sure what your options are?
The best place to start is by looking at a color wheel. There are many different braces color wheels out there, but they’re all based on two primary colors (yellow and blue) and on two secondary colors (orange and green). In terms of braces, your primary color options are yellow or blue. The reason why? Most people’s teeth naturally fall in between these two hues. Because of that, choosing a colored dental appliance that mirrors your teeth can make them appear less obvious. Typically speaking, yellow is the more popular choice—so if you have naturally white teeth you may want to give it a try before going with blue.
A little color knowledge goes a long way
Before you select a color, understand what your options are. If you don’t know anything about color theory, consider consulting with an expert, who can help you choose hues that will play well together and flatter your face. Even if you have no idea where to start, keep it simple by picking two colors (primary and secondary) from opposite sides of a color wheel. The primary color is typically used as an accent in conjunction with your secondary color. In other words, go with red and blue, or orange and green (or any other combination). If you like one of those combos but would rather not use a contrasting pair of colors, try neutralizing them instead.
Go with your instincts (but if they’re wrong, here’s how to fix them!)
If you have a specific color in mind, ask yourself why? If you’re trying to match your hair or just want your braces color match what you already have, it might be best to find another color. To put it bluntly, no one will see them but you—and even if they do, that person won’t care as much about your choice of color as they will care about how straight and well-aligned your teeth are. Talk with your orthodontist. If you really can’t decide on a certain color (or if someone else in charge of picking them doesn’t have any opinion), sit down with an orthodontist and figure out exactly what shade would work best for where it’s going on your mouth.
White, clear or off-white?
If your teeth are already white, clear or off-white in color and you’re trying to get rid of small stains, use one of these shades to keep them looking their whitest while wearing braces. If you have very little tooth discoloration and only want a little brightening, off-white is usually enough. When in doubt, consult with your orthodontist about what’s best for your smile.
Yellow vs. white vs. clear — what’s the difference?
If you’re getting clear braces, it probably means that they’ll hardly be noticeable. However, if you don’t like how clear brackets look on your teeth, there are some other options. While white teeth may seem like a great choice, yellow is a better option when it comes to clear brackets; not only does it provide color contrast between your teeth and braces, but it also makes them more visible than white would. While selecting a bracket color may seem unimportant at first glance, taking into account different factors can help you make an informed decision about which color is best for you.
The best braces colors overall
If you want to make your smile pop, a bright color is probably best. The braces color wheel gives you an easy way to pick one. If you have yellow-tinted teeth, choose a neutral or clear colored braces. If your teeth are more on the grey side, stick with white or light blue shades. Finally, if your teeth are very light in color (aka canary-yellow), then pink will stand out most against your smile. For all other colors, use common sense and ask yourself which braces colors will contrast well with your skin tone and overall look. A good rule of thumb is if someone’s eyes would be drawn to it easily it’s probably not right for you either!
