What are the best braces colours for teens?

While some teens might be apprehensive about starting their orthodontic treatment, it is made easier by being able to customise the look of their braces for a style that is entirely their own. The best braces colours for teens will ultimately come down to personal preference, but we’ll share some creative ways they can put a colourful twist on their orthodontic treatment.

How are braces colours changed?

The elastic modules that secure the wire to the individual tooth brackets – also known as modules or o-rings – can be changed to allow the wire to be changed or engaged in each bracket.

There are plenty of colours to choose from – from bold reds to neon green to subtle grey. At every appointment, your orthodontist will ask you which colours you would like – and that’s where you can get creative.

Here are some of the popular braces colours for teens:

Team colours

Show your support for your favourite sporting club by wearing their colours on your teeth. It could be the team you barrack for or the local club you play at to really show your team spirit.

Match your favourite clothes

If you find yourself always gravitating towards the same coloured clothes, then keep your braces in line with your personal style for a cohesive look. School formal coming up? Then consider matching your braces colour with your formal outfit.

Get festive

Let your teeth celebrate key milestones throughout the year with braces colours that match the decorations. Think pastel tones for Easter, red and green for Christmas or orange and black for Halloween.

Flow with the seasons

Why not try matching your braces to the four seasons? Think bright colours for summer and darker tones in winter. Embrace the different seasons in your own way with your smile.

Make it your own

While the actual colours available at your orthodontist may vary depending on the brand they use, it’s an opportunity to do things your way. Ask to see their colour options so you can plan ahead for your next appointment and create a colour combination that’s entirely your own.

Think about your skin tone and eyes

You can also get a colour that complements your skin tone or eye colour. 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!

How do the colours affect my teen’s orthodontic treatment?

The colour of your teen’s braces doesn’t affect their treatment at all. Just make sure they’re following their orthodontist’s advice and proper care instructions for their braces.

However, just like a white shirt, your white and clear colours may be prone to staining if you’re particularly fond of colourful foods like tomato sauce and curry. If you want a subtle look and want to avoid staining, then go for silver or grey colours to better blend in with the brackets.

Which colours will make your teeth look whiter?

As your primary school art classes taught you, some colours are more complimentary than others. If your teen has slightly yellow teeth, then white bands may make them appear more yellow by comparison. These are the colours that can make your teeth appear whiter:

• Black
• Blue
• Dark red

How to know what colour braces to get?

Still don’t know what colour you want? Here are some personal experiences from teens who have had braces and how they chose their band colours.

“It was a bit overwhelming to choose the colours. But I had a netball tournament coming up so I asked my orthodontist if he could do my club colours – teal, purple and white. And he did! It was a lot of fun wearing my team colours on and off the court.” – Taylor, 14

“When I visited the orthodontist, the Ashes were a week away. So I knew that I wanted to support the Aussie cricket team somehow. Then I realised I could have green and gold braces bands to show my support.” – Nicholas, 17

“My favourite colour is blue. And I wanted to show off my favourite colour every single day when I had braces. They also matched my eyes and dark hair, and my mum said the blue bands made my eyes pop.” – Gina, 16

At the end of the day, there’s no right or wrong way to pick your braces colours – and best of all, with regular adjustments you can change them every time. Here are some other ways patients decide which colour braces to go with:

• Your favourite colour
• Complement your eyes using colour theory (pink looks great with blue eyes)
• Complement your teeth using the tips above, or go with dark blue for a universally flattering shade
• Go silver or grey if you want to be subtle
• Try neon colours if you want to stand out

How your orthodontist can help

If you’re unsure about the best colour to complement the appearance of your teeth, your orthodontist can help you to decide. They often have samples available that you can choose from and hold up against your teeth, or they may apply a few and let you confirm you’re happy with the colour choice before you continue. Check with them on the best way to decide.

The ability to choose the colours of their braces is fun and exciting way for teens to take ownership of their orthodontic treatment and feel empowered by their decisions.