So you are getting braces to create that smile of your dreams, and now it is time for choosing colors. This can be one of the most exciting parts of an appointment, but we understand that it has the potential to be a little stressful for someone who is new to the process. We have heard hundreds of questions over the years such as, “Which colors look best?” “Are there certain colors to avoid?” “What do most people choose?” Do not let this decision stress you out. There is no such thing as the “best color” for braces. The choice is completely up to you and can be tailored to your individual style with ample amount of colors to pick from.
Here at Langford Orthodontics, we understand patient concerns and do our best to provide you with outstanding service to go with an outstanding treatment. When it comes to picking out a color combination that you will love, we are here to help! We have put together some ideas below in order for you to get ahead of the process. Enjoy!
Colors for your features
Choosing colors based on your natural look is always a safe option. You could choose a color based on your eyes, whether you want to match the color or choose a color that complements them. Blue and green eyes can be matched easily, and brown eyes can be complemented by earthy colors such as dark greens and blues. You can also choose your colors based on your hair and/or skin tone. Lighter skin and hair work well with either bright or dark colors such as pink, light blue, navy, light purple, and red. Darker skin and hair work well with darker jewel colors such as emerald, violet, or turquoise. Pastel and neon colors also work well to provide contrast.
Colors for your style
Another idea for choosing colors is to pick from some of the colors you like to wear every day. If you typically wear more bright colors, you could choose bright pink, blue, and green. If you like more subdued or darker colors, you can choose navy, light blue, and red.
If you do not usually stick to just one color palette in your wardrobe, here are some ideas of a few smaller things that you can match:
- A favorite pair of shoes
- A favorite hat or headband
- A favorite nail polish
- A favorite eyeshadow
Colors for support
You might want to decorate your braces with colors that mean something to you right now. A lot of our younger patients like to choose their school colors for their braces. If you play a school sport during a particular time of year, you can coordinate the colors to your team’s jersey colors to show off some team spirit! You can also choose the colors of your favorite college or professional team.
If you support a special cause or organization, you may want to choose colors that spread awareness. Not only are these colors relevant, but also they can give you a chance to talk with others about your organization’s message.
Colors for the holidays
Holiday-themed braces are festive and a fun way to get creative with your colors. Here are some ideas for holiday colors:
- Easter is celebrated through pastels, which work well on just about everybody. Light pinks, blue, purples, and greens are a great idea for this holiday.
- It does not take much to light up the Fourth of July with the classic colors of red, white, and blue!
- For Halloween, black and orange are your obvious choices, or you can even coordinate colors to the colors of your costume. This is also a fun opportunity to try our glow-in-the-dark bands!
- During the month of December, choosing dark green and red is a great way to spread some Christmas cheer!
Color tips
While we know there are not any “wrong colors”, there are a few shades we might caution you about:
- Choosing white as the primary color for your braces may seem like a good idea, but for some, this can actually highlight the yellow undertones in teeth. Yellow and gold can also have this effect. The good news is that you can combine these colors with others to lessen the yellowing effect that it can have on teeth. Darker colors, like blue, green and purple can actually make teeth look whiter, so a combination of one of these darker colors with the lighter ones should resolve the issue.
- Clear bands are a good choice for anyone who wants to add some subtlety to their braces. However, clear bands sometimes have the tendency to fade over time. This can happen if food gets trapped between the bracket and teeth or from drinking sodas and coffee. That being said, some of these issues can be avoided by taking care of your teeth and following our instructions.
Choosing braces with Langford Orthodontics
Choosing colors for your braces is meant to be a fun way to express yourself and your creativity. The good news is that no matter what you decide, you can always change your colors if you do not like the choices you made.
Whether you are an adult, adolescent, or young child, we want your experience with braces to be one of the best! Dr. Langford and our experienced team have been serving Knoxville and Seymour’s orthodontic needs since 2001. If you are considering braces, give us a call to schedule a free consultation. We look forward to adding you to our family!