Considering braces? The treatment can be fun, especially since you get to choose the colour of your elastics. But how do you decide? Here are some tips from our orthodontists in Langley to help you pick your braces colour.
What Colour of Braces Should I Get?
If you're getting braces, you've probably asked this question at least once. And it's actually pretty exciting! While braces are there to straighten your teeth, those little coloured elastics give you the opportunity to have some fun with your look.
Every time you come in for an adjustment (usually every four to eight weeks), you also have the chance to change the colour of your elastics. Feel like going bold with hot pink? You can do it. Want to try something more subtle next time? That works too.
Why Your Colour Choice Matters
While you might think, 'they're just braces', the right colours can actually boost your confidence. When you pick colours that work well with your skin, your style, and your personality, you'll feel much more comfortable smiling.
Plus, some colours have specific effects. Darker colours can make your teeth look whiter, which is a nice bonus, while lighter colours might blend in a bit more with your teeth. So your colour choice might matter more than you think.
What Works Best For Your Skin Tone
When choosing the colour of your elastics, you may want to consider your skin tone. If you have darker skin, you can really pull off those bold, rich colours. Think gold, bright blue, purple, or turquoise. These colours stand out beautifully and look amazing.
If your skin is on the lighter side, softer colours tend to be very flattering. Light blue, pink, or lavender, these gentle colours complement fair skin without being too overwhelming.
Want to get creative? Try matching your braces to your eyes. Blue eyes with blue braces look classic. Or just pick colours that match most of your clothes. That way, your braces will go with almost everything you wear.
Giving the Illusion of Whiter Teeth
As we mentioned above, the colour of your elastics may be able to give the illusion of whiter teeth. This can be achieved with dark colours. Navy blue, deep purple, black, or dark green create this contrast that makes your teeth look bright and white. It's like an optical illusion that works in your favour.
If you want something more subtle, try light grey or silver. They offer a slight pop of colour without being overly noticeable.
Show Off Your Personality
This is where it gets fun. Are you the type who loves being the center of attention? You might be excited about choosing colours like bright pink, electric blue, or lime green. These colours definitely show that you're not afraid to stand out.
Looking for colours that show a hint of professionalism? Gray, silver, or those tooth-coloured options are perfect. They allow for personalization but won't distract in school photos or job interviews.
Love getting into the spirit of things? Switch up your colours for different occasions. School colours for game day, red and green for Christmas, or orange and black for Halloween.
Colours You Might Want to Skip
While you can choose any colour you want, there are some colours that don’t work well for everyone. White might seem like a safe choice, but it can stain easily if you drink beverages like juice, coffee or tea or eat foods that are highly pigmented like berries.
In some cases, yellow, brown, and certain greens can make it look like you've got food stuck in your teeth, so you may want to keep this in mind when making your decision.
Tips for Choosing the Colour of Your Elastics
Many orthodontic offices have colour wheels or charts that allow you to see how different colours look. It's much easier to decide when you can see the colours against your teeth.
Remember, you can change your mind every few weeks. Feeling unsure about a bold choice? Try it anyway. You can always switch to something else at your next appointment.
Don't hesitate to ask for advice either. The team at your orthodontist's office has helped many patients make informed decisions and can provide you with great suggestions based on their experience.
There's no wrong choice when it comes to the colour of the elastics for braces. The best colour is whatever makes you feel good about yourself. Whether that's bright and bold or soft and subtle, go with what feels right for you.