A Guide to Braces Colours
A Guide to Braces Colours
When it comes to getting braces, one of the easiest ways to embrace your new smile is by choosing the colours on display.
The elastic ligatures holding the wire of your braces together are available in a wide variety of colours, allowing you to bring a touch of personality to your braces. These elastics are changed at every adjustment – that’s every six to eight weeks – so you can keep updating your smile and trying out new colours for as long as you’re wearing braces.
Read on to find out the best braces colours to suit your skin tone and style, how often they’ll be changed and which braces colours to avoid.
In Summary
- Braces colours refer to the small elastics that hold your brackets in place.
- These colours can be updated with every adjustment, every six to eight weeks.
- You can choose from a wide selection of colours based on your skin tone, favourite colours or upcoming holidays and events.
How do braces colours work?
Understanding the separate parts of your metal braces can help you to picture what each piece is doing.
- Ligatures – these are the tiny, coloured elastic bands that wrap around each bracket to lock the wire in place. They’re replaced every six to eight weeks at adjustment appointments.
- Brackets – these are the small, square metal pieces that are glued directly onto the front of each tooth. They act as handles to hold the wire in place as the teeth move.
- Wire – this is a thin, flexible metal wire that’s threaded through the slot of each bracket. It’s there to guide the teeth, acting as the main pulling force in the straightening process.
Choosing a colour to suit your skin tone
When it comes to your adjustment appointments, the hardest decision you’ll face will be what colour elastics to go with.
Your skin tone plays a big role in this – how will the colour look against your skin? Choosing based on this factor is a great way to enhance your confidence every time you smile.
- For fairer or lighter skin, cool tones like light blue, pastel pinks or lavender are complementary.
- For olive skin tones, you can opt for a bold colour like turquoise, coral and dark purple to create a contrast.
- For darker skin tones, many patients favour deep tones like dark blue, orange, bright pink and rich green to stand out and flatter.
Colours that make teeth look whiter
Another great confidence boost while you’re wearing braces is to choose a colour that enhances the appearance of whiteness in your teeth.
Dark blue tones like navy or deep purple hues will create a high contrast with the undertones of your teeth, resulting in an overall whiter look.
Braces colours to avoid
Braces colours ultimately come down to personal preference, and what you like the most for your braces. However, there are some braces colours to avoid, based on convenience and long-term appearance.
- White and clear or ceramic braces elastics are more prone to staining, taking on a slightly yellow appearance in-between appointments.
- Yellow, brown and dark green can often be mistaken for food, and as a result are less popular choices.
Seasonal and occasion ideas
The frequency of your appointments means that there’s ample opportunity to experiment with your braces colours and have some fun.
For a school event like sports day, choose your school colours for an on-theme splash of colour. Or, for formals, match your elastics to your outfit colour for a subtle hint of coordination.
You can choose holiday-specific colours if your adjustment falls before a major celebration – red for Christmas, orange for Halloween, or something pastel at Easter.
By picking themes for your braces colours, you can keep it fun and make each adjustment an enjoyable experience.
Can I change my braces colours?
You’ll be able to change your elastics at every adjustment appointment, every six to eight weeks. This means you don’t have to commit to a single colour for the duration of your treatment.
The amount of adjustments you have will depend on how long it takes for the braces to have their desired effect – what your individual smile goals are.
Find out more with a free consultation
Every case is unique. If you think that you or your child could benefit from braces, book an appointment with our team of specialist orthodontists, or give us a call on 02 7803 7803 to ask any questions and arrange a consultation.
FAQs
Your braces colours can change at each adjustment appointment – roughly every six to eight weeks.
White, clear and lighter colours tend to discolour more easily than darker shades, which will generally maintain their shade.
Darker blues and purple tones will enhance the whiteness of your teeth. This is because they create a strong contrast against the undertones of your teeth.
