If you wear braces and are unhappy with the color of your teeth, you’re not alone. Many patients find that their teeth are darker than they would like after getting braces, especially if they chose metal brackets and bands instead of tooth-colored alternatives. But what color braces make your teeth look whiter? To find out, you can use the following colors wheel that demonstrates different colors of braces and their corresponding shades on teeth. These colors make your teeth look whiter because they do not contrast with the shade of your gums or other dental features as drastically as many other brace colors do.
Yellow Teeth
This color will make your teeth look even yellower with braces. Think of it as bright orange or yellow, and you’ll get an idea of what your teeth will look like with a lot of yellow braces on them. The hue is too close to what many people’s natural teeth are, so you might want to stay away from yellow-tinted braces if you have a naturally lighter complexion and/or plan on wearing certain colors during your sessions. If you tend to stick with darker colors and/or were very light in complexion before getting braces, going with a more golden shade of yellow (like Amber Yellow 16A) may not be that noticeable to others—as long as you do your part in choosing other complementary outfits while out in public. Just try not go overboard by adding excessive gold jewelry; that can be hard on everyone else who’s trying to enjoy their food (and finish their meal). If possible, visit us at our New York City practice location at 13 West 56th Street between 5th Ave & 6th Ave for an initial consultation before making any final decisions about which braces colors wheel you should choose; we don't charge for consultations!
Yellow Tooth Powder
Though it’s not as effective as dental bleaching, there are ways to hide yellowing teeth with non-permanent methods. To whiten your teeth, try using a natural tooth powder that contains activated charcoal. The powder will help absorb surface stains in your teeth and make them look whiter for a short period of time (make sure you use a gentle brushing technique when applying). Be aware that tooth powders aren’t as strong as professional dental bleaching kits and will only work to reduce surface staining on your teeth. So if you do have yellowing, avoid using bright-colored foods or drinks such as beets, carrots or red wine because they can make your stained teeth appear even darker—avoid colored lipstick/lip balm too!
Yellow Toothpaste
When selecting a toothpaste for use with braces, it’s important to choose one that contains peroxide. The peroxide in toothpaste can clean your teeth and help prevent plaque buildup between orthodontic appointments. In addition, yellow-colored toothpastes are typically formulated to minimize blue and gray colorations of a patient’s teeth caused by other components of orthodontic treatment. In addition, some patients may be prone to developing sensitive teeth after receiving orthodontic treatment. If you experience sensitivity while using your normal brand of toothpaste during treatment, consider switching to a yellow-colored variety which is typically much gentler on teeth than traditional toothpastes.
Teeth Whitening Strips
Whitening strips are affordable and convenient. Like whitening toothpaste, they can be used at home and daily, which is more than can be said for in-office whitening treatments that cost thousands of dollars. To get whiter teeth with braces, use whitening strips after each brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste (most whitening strips do not contain fluoride). Be sure to avoid long periods of time where food or drink touch your gums or braces. You don’t want to risk gum irritation. If you have sensitive teeth, it may help to only apply a thin layer of strip on your front teeth; leaving them on longer could irritate your gums.
Black Strips vs. White Strips
Choose a color-coordinated smile. If you have braces, then you know that one of your biggest problems is discoloration around your teeth. Some patients choose to cover up those unsightly stains with a black strip on their top teeth, while others opt for white strips below. This can be an incredibly subjective issue, and one with no right or wrong answer—simply what makes you look good in your eyes. But if you’re trying to decide which color looks better on you, think about whether your natural skin tone is cool or warm; both colors tend to complement different skin tones, so go with what makes your complexion pop rather than clash.
Opaque Vs. Translucent Brackets
When it comes to braces, some people prefer to go with opaque brackets instead of translucent ones. Opaque brackets are most popular because they're highly visible and make your teeth look whiter. While you can definitely achieve great results by going with translucent brackets, there's a good chance that you'll be stuck using them for longer as these tend to fade quicker when subjected to water and toothpaste. If you do choose to go with translucent, remember that brushing and flossing regularly is extremely important as these tend to dull quicker compared with their opaque counterparts. Be sure to ask your orthodontist which type would be best for you based on your specific case.
