How to Choose the Best Braces Colors for You

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Learn which braces colors make your teeth look whiter

Co-authored by Cara Piskai and Raven Minyard, BA

Last Updated: November 26, 2025 Fact Checked

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Popular Colors

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Colors to Make Teeth Whiter

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Colors to Avoid

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Color Combos

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How to Choose

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So, you’re getting braces. How exciting! Whether you’re happy or feeling a little nervous, getting to choose your braces colors can help make the process more comfortable and personal. It can be hard to decide which color to pick, but we’re here to help! In this article, we’ll explain some of the most popular braces colors, which colors make your teeth look whiter, and which colors to avoid, with helpful tips from orthodontist Cara Piskai, DMD, and dentist Jeremy Silverman, DMD.

What are the best braces colors?

An illustration showing the best braces colors by complexion, which colors make teeth look whiter, and different color combinations for braces.

The best braces colors for you depend on several factors, including your skin tone, eye color, and personal preferences. In general, though, dark colors like dark blue and deep purple are popular because they make your teeth look whiter. Avoid colors like white and yellow, as they make your teeth look discolored.

Section 1 of 5:

Popular Braces Colors

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Dark colors are often considered the most flattering. Colors like dark blue, deep purple, and forest green are popular options. They can make your teeth look whiter and are more subtle, so they’re a great option if you don’t want your braces to stand out or if you’re worried about staining.
- Many adults who have braces prefer darker colors, as well.
Meet the wikiHow Experts

Cara Piskai, DMD, is an orthodontist and the owner of Piskai Orthodontics in Voorhees, New Jersey. She has over 5 years of experience in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics.

Jeremy Silverman, DMD, is a dentist and the founder of Peace and Mind Dental Studio in Chandler, Arizona. He has a decade of professional dental experience.
You can get whatever color you want, regardless of your gender, but many girls tend to pick pastel colors, like light pink, lavender, or teal. Light colors are popular because they often make your teeth look brighter. Some girls also opt for bright options, like red or orange.^{[1]
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Boys often prefer blues and greens. While this is different for everyone, a lot of guys prefer darker colors because they feel more “masculine.” They often opt for colors like dark blue, black, or green because they’re more subtle than colors like pink, purple, or orange.^{[2]
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- Remember, you can get whatever color you want. If you’re a boy who likes pink, that’s awesome!

Section 2 of 5:

Which braces colors make your teeth look whiter?

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Darker colors often make teeth look whiter. Dark colors like navy blue, deep purple, or black create a high level of contrast, which makes your teeth appear brighter. This is because these dark, cool colors are opposite, or complementary, to the yellow and orange tones in teeth.^{[3]
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- Lighter cool tones, like light blue or teal, can also make your teeth look brighter.

Section 3 of 5:

Braces Colors to Avoid

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In general, avoid white, yellow, brown, and clear. While you can choose any braces colors you want, there are a few options that many people don’t recommend. White and clear braces stain easily, which can make your teeth look dirty. Yellow enhances the yellow tones of your teeth and can make them look discolored. Brown, and sometimes green, may make it look like you have food stuck in your braces.^{[4]
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- Remember, though, that you should choose a color you like, not what other people like. If you like yellow or white, go for it! Besides, other people probably aren’t paying as much attention to your braces as you might think.
- If you do decide on white or clear braces, avoid staining them by using a straw when you drink and brushing your teeth after every meal.
- To keep your braces clean and your teeth healthy, Dr. Piskai recommends “brushing at least three times a day when you have braces… Ideally, you would brush once in the morning, once after lunch or as soon as you get home from school or work, and once before bed.”^{[5]
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- You may be tempted to whiten your teeth while you have braces, but Dr. Silverman says, “This is not advisable… It would not whiten the tooth structure under the brackets and bands. Further, when the braces are removed, the color of the teeth would be uneven and not aesthetically pleasing.”^{[6]
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Section 4 of 5:

Fun Braces Color Combinations

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Mix and match your braces colors for a unique look. Most orthodontists allow you to pick up to two colors for your braces (though some may allow more!) In general, you can either have alternating colors on each tooth or have one color for your top teeth and another for your bottom teeth. Here are some popular color combos that look great together:
- Light pink and light blue
- Turquoise and lime green
- Lavender and purple
- Maroon and navy
- Light blue and white
- Red and black
- Coral and mint
- Royal blue and red
- Turquoise and dark pink
- Navy and gold
- Dark gray and navy

Section 5 of 5:

How to Choose Your Braces Color

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Consider your skin tone. If you want your braces to look really flattering, try matching them to your skin tone. Warm colors like red and orange complement warm skin tones, while cool colors like teal and light blue work well with cooler skin tones.^{[7]
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- People with darker skin tones often look good with bright braces colors, like pink or orange, while people with lighter skin tones may look good with light colors, like light blue.
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Match your braces to your eye color. If you want to make your eyes pop, consider braces that match or complement them. For example, if you have light eyes, a light or bright color like blue or pink might look good. If you have dark eyes, dark, muted colors like green and brown might be more flattering.^{[8]
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Pick a shade that complements your hair color. Some braces colors generally look better with certain hair colors. For example, pastel shades like pink, purple, or light blue look good with blonde hair. Brunettes often look good with earthy tones like forest green or burgundy, as well as bold jewel tones. Greens and blues make red hair stand out, and dark brown and black hair look great with bold or muted colors that create contrast.
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Consider how noticeable you want your braces to be. Braces are nothing to be embarrassed about, but some people don’t want them to stand out, and that’s okay! If you’d prefer them to be less noticeable, consider a dark, subdued color like black. If you want your braces to stand out, consider a bright color or a fun color combination.
- Dr. Piskai adds, “Clear braces, typically made from a ceramic material, are the most aesthetic and least noticeable type of braces. Selecting clear or pearlescent color ties (small elastics that go around the brackets to hold the wire in place) that match the clear braces makes them even less noticeable.”^{[9]
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  Cara Piskai
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  Expert Interview} Just remember that clear braces require more maintenance so they don’t get stained!
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Choose colors that reflect your personality and style. You’ll be wearing them for a while, after all, so it’s important that you like them! For example, if you love bold looks, consider a striking combination like red and black. If you prefer softer tones, go for something like light pink.^{[10]
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- Think about what colors you like to wear most. If you have a preferred color palette, choose a braces color that matches.
- You might want to match your braces to your favorite shoes or a certain accessory you wear often.
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Go for festive colors that match the season. In general, you can change the color of your braces every 4 to 8 weeks, so this is a fun way to celebrate your favorite holidays. For example, consider green and red for Christmas, green for St. Patrick’s Day, or pink for Valentine’s Day. Or, go for bright, fun colors in the summer and more subdued colors in the winter. The options are endless!^{[11]
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- If you have a lot of school spirit, consider choosing your school’s colors, too.
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Experiment with different colors until you find the right ones. The good thing is, you aren’t stuck with your braces color forever. If you choose one and decide you don’t like it, try something different the next time you visit the orthodontist. You can also ask your orthodontist for their opinion on what color they think would look best with your hair color and skin tone.^{[12]
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- Your orthodontist will likely show you a color wheel that displays all the available colors. This may help you visualize which colors you like best and what colors pair well together.
- Still having trouble deciding? Take our “What Color Braces Should I Get?” quiz!