Should I Avoid Certain Colors With Braces?

Braces have come a long way from being the awkward, clunky metal contraptions many of us dreaded in middle school. These days, they’re more of a fashion accessory along with teeth straightening, thanks to colorful brackets and bands that let you express your style, mood, or even match your outfit. Whether you’re repping your school colors, getting festive for the holidays, or just showing off your favorite hue, braces can be fun. But with so many color choices out there, it’s easy to get a little overwhelmed. Some shades will make your smile pop, while others might bring out the worst (think food stains, yellowing, or just plain weird vibes). So, with great power comes great responsibility.

That brings us to the big, burning question: Are there braces colors you should avoid when choosing braces? Don’t worry, we’ve got you. Let’s break down the best and worst colors for your braces so you can confidently flash those brackets with style.

Popular Braces Colors for Teens

Being a teenager comes with its own pressures and challenges. To make your teenage braces experience fun, you can choose the braces colors and make them a part of your style. Now, while getting braces, there is a great chance that you have thought long and hard about what colors to choose. You’re not alone! These days, picking braces colors is more than just a choice—it’s a style statement. Some of the most popular braces colors for teens include:

Teal or Turquoise

These shades are the ultimate cool-kid choice. Bold, fun, and super eye-catching, teal or turquoise adds a fresh pop of color that works great with just about any outfit.

Purple

Purple is that magical color that flatters nearly every skin tone and adds a touch of uniqueness without being too loud. Plus, it comes in so many shades, from lavender to deep plum.

Neon or Glow-in-the-Dark

Because let’s be honest, how cool is it to have braces that glow? Some orthodontists offer glow-in-the-dark bands, which are fun but may not be available everywhere.

Red and Blue Combos

If you are too much into games, or you just want to display your love for a certain superhero, red and blue braces can be a fun way to show your team pride or rock a superhero-inspired smile.

Colors to Avoid with Braces

Picking a braces color is kind of like picking an outfit you’ll be wearing 24/7 (except you can’t change it whenever you feel like it. While most colors are fair game, a few deserve a spot on the “maybe not” list. These are the colors to avoid with braces if you want your smile to stay trendy yet clean-looking. Here are a few colors you might want to approach with caution:

White

It sounds like a classy, clean choice, right? But in reality, white can actually make your teeth look more yellow by comparison. Plus, they tend to stain over time, which can make them look dirty.

Black

This one seems edgy and cool, but be warned: it can sometimes look like you’ve got food stuck in your braces. Think pepper flakes or poppy seeds.

Yellow

If your teeth have even the slightest natural yellow tint, yellow bands will only highlight that. And this is not the kind of attention you want on your smile.

Green or Brown

These might sound trendy in the world of fashion, but on braces? Not so much. Green can look like lettuce in your teeth, and brown, well, it looks like a piece of meat is stuck in your braces.

What Braces Color Stains Easily?

If you're someone who lives for your morning coffee, craves a daily cup of tea, loves spicy curries, or has a weakness for vibrant candies, this part is especially for you. As fun as colorful braces can be, some shades are total stain magnets. And the tricky part? Once they’re stained, there’s no magic fix. No amount of brushing, rinsing, or scrubbing will bring them back to life, and you are stuck with them until your next orthodontist visit. So, which colors should you be extra careful with?

White and Clear Bands

These might seem like a dream at first, minimal, clean, and practically invisible. But don’t be fooled. White and clear bands are notorious for picking up stains from foods and drinks. Instead of giving off that neat, polished vibe, stained white or clear bands can end up embarrassing you.

Light Pastels

Pastel colors like baby pink, soft blue, and lilac are adorable. They give off a gentle, dreamy aesthetic that’s hard to resist. But these shades are high-maintenance. Their light tone means they absorb color from food and drinks more easily, and before you know it, that pretty hue you picked might start looking a little off.

The Best Braces Color Choices

Let’s flip the script. What are the best braces color choices that not only look amazing but also keep your teeth looking bright? Here is the list of these colors:

• Navy Blue
• Dark Purple
• Silver
• Gray
• Pink

Braces Color Ideas for Different Skin Tones

Did you know your skin tone can play a huge role in how your braces colors look? Choosing colors that match your undertone helps brighten your smile and enhance your natural glow. Here are some braces color ideas for different skin tones:

Warm skin tones

The braces colours that go with the warm skin tones are gold, orange, red, and turquoise.

Cool skin tones

For cool skin tones, silver, sky blue, lilac, and navy are the go-to colors.

Neutral skin tones

If you have a natural skin tone, you are lucky. Most colors will work beautifully on these skin tones!

How to Pick the Right Braces Color

Feeling overwhelmed by the rainbow of options? Don’t worry, you are not stranded alone. Picking the right braces color might feel like a big decision, but here’s the good news: it’s not permanent, and you can have a little fun with it! Here are some easy, real-life tips to help you decide:

Consider Your Wardrobe

Are you all about neutrals, or do you lean toward bold, bright tones? Choosing braces colors that complement your most-worn outfit color can help your smile feel more "you" and less like an awkward accessory.

Contrast Play

Want your teeth to look whiter? Go for darker colors like navy, deep green, or maroon. These shades create contrast and make your teeth appear brighter.

Match Your Vibe

Your braces are tiny style statements sitting on your teeth, so let them reflect you. If you’re sporty, go for your team colors. Artsy? Try out unique combos. Whether you want to stand out or stay chill, there’s a color for that.

Ask Your Orthodontist

Most orthodontists have color wheels or charts you can try out before committing. They’ve seen it all and can help steer you away from the shades that stain easily or clash with your complexion.

Don’t Want to Stress Over Braces Colors? Try Smilepath Instead!

Not everyone wants to play the color game every few weeks. If you’re more of a “keep it simple” kind of person, Smilepath has your back. Go discreet with the most trusted clear aligners provided by Smilepath and don’t let anyone know you are wearing anything on your teeth.

Why Smilepath is the No-Color, No-Stress Alternative

The following are the reasons why Smilepath Clear Aligners are the alternative you were looking for.

• Dentist-designed treatment delivered straight to your door.
• Affordable, flexible plans without compromising quality.
• 3D smile projection to allow you to see your after-treatment smile.
• AlignerTracker App to track your progress and get timely notifications

Should I Avoid Certain Brace Colors? A Big Yes

Braces today are more than just a tool for straightening teeth, they're a whole vibe! Whether you're going bold with neon bands, classy with navy or deep purple, or playful with turquoise and pink, your braces can be an extension of your personality. But hey, as we’ve learned, not all colors are created equal. While some make your smile sparkle and work with your style, others, like white, yellow, or brown, might end up doing the opposite. And the stain-prone shades, white, clear, and pastels may look dreamy at first, but they’re high-maintenance and easily discolored. Luckily, you don’t have to go it alone. You’ve got a whole toolkit to help you decide: match your bands to your wardrobe, play with contrast to brighten your smile, pick shades that flatter your skin tone, and don’t be afraid to consult your orthodontist’s color wheel. And if you’ve read all this and are still thinking, “I’d rather skip the color chaos altogether,” then Smilepath might be your perfect match. Their clear aligners offer a sleek, stress-free alternative to traditional braces, with no color choices, no stains, and no wires in sight. It’s discreet, effective, and customized just for you. Plus, you can track your smile’s progress right from your phone.

FAQs