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Braces: How to Choose Your Perfect Colour

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Braces are often used to perfect your smile. While you might not have the perfect teeth you want just yet, there's no reason you shouldn't feel confident in your smile while you are wearing braces. The elastic bands, also known as elastic ligatures, that surround the metal or ceramic brackets are offered in a number of different colours. So you can choose the colour that's right for you. Whether you want to complement your skin tone or get festive with your look, braces colours can be used to help you feel confident until your braces are ready to come off. Here's how to choose the perfect colour for your elastic bands.

Braces Colours and your Skin Tone

You can choose braces colours that help complement your skin tone. If you have dark or olive skin, opt for bright jewel tones, like gold, turquoise, violet or navy. If you have fair skin, cool colours look best, so try silver, sky blue, light pink or lilac. Choosing colours based on your skin tone also helps ensure that your braces always look good with whatever you're wearing, since you're likely to choose clothing colours that naturally flatter your skin.

Braces & Teeth Colour Correction

Orthodontics Australia states that there are different kinds of braces; remember that your braces can offer contrast between the elastic bands and your teeth, so it's possible you use your bands for colour correction. If you're self-conscious about your teeth being yellow or stained - choose darker colours, which can make your teeth look whiter. Avoid yellow or orange bands, which don't contrast as much and could make your teeth look yellow as well. While white might seem like a good idea, your teeth might look dull in contrast. White bands could actually stain over time, so it's best to choose another colour. If you want a colour that's less noticeable, go with clear elastics.

Get Festive with Braces Colours

You can choose your braces colours based on your mood, a holiday, and even team spirit, since you can change your bands every four to six weeks. Here are some fun ideas to try:

  • School colours
  • Red and green for Christmas
  • Yellow and green to show your support for Australia in international sports
  • The colours of your favourite footy team

Ask about glow-in-the-dark elastic bands that look clear in the day but shine neon green at night!

Braces and Proper Care

Whatever colour you decide to get, make sure to keep your teeth, brackets and elastics clean with proper oral hygiene care. Your orthodontist will give you tips for keeping your braces clean and your teeth healthy, such as avoiding sticky foods, brushing twice daily and flossing and eating a healthy nutritious diet. Consider getting a toothbrush like the Colgate 360° Total Advanced Floss-Tip Bristles toothbrush. Its floss-tip bristles gently reach deep between teeth and along the gumline. Caring for your teeth means your elastics stay clean and your colours vibrant until it's time to change them at your next orthodontic visit.

Braces don't need to cramp your style; Orthodontics Australia offers information on the cost of braces so you can plan ahead. With the right colour choices, your braces can also actually enhance your look until you're ready to reveal your perfect smile. Choose carefully, and you'll be ready to show the world your smile long before your braces are due to come off.

This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.