The first question to ask yourself when you’re getting cute color braces put on your teeth is, What color of braces should I get? Your orthodontist will explain that there are many different colors of braces, and they all serve different purposes. Some colors are stronger than others, some can be cleaned better than others, and some just look better on certain people. The right answer to this question is dependent on your preferences, the types of food you like to eat and even how old you are! Here’s what you need to know about color braces before making your decision.
Contraindications
Before making a decision about which color to go with, you may want to talk to your orthodontist about whether certain colors will be more or less likely to fade or stain over time. It might also be helpful for your dentist to discuss with you which kinds of foods are safe to eat with braces. For example, did you know that if you have a metal mouth guard it’s best not to wear colored rubber bands when putting it in place? You don’t want your mouth guard discolored by those colorful rubber bands! Your orthodontist can offer advice on how and what foods are safe for you and other important oral health information that will help keep your smile healthy while you wear braces.
Color Preferences
No one likes to be told what they can or cannot do with their body. The same holds true when it comes to choosing a color for your braces. Everyone has different tastes and a variety of colors is preferable to being forced into making a choice you’re not comfortable with. Despite how fun it may seem, if you’re over 21 and want metal brackets, never choose pink! Most orthodontists will refuse to place them on an adult’s teeth even if you insist that they look good on you. However, once you turn 18, you can choose whatever color works best for your own situation!
When you visit us here at SmilesNYC in New York City, we’ll discuss each option in detail so that you make a smart decision based on aesthetics and health-related issues. We offer five types of colored brackets: white, transparent, translucent clear, natural tooth colored and gingival shades (gingiva is defined as the tissue surrounding a tooth). In short: there’s no wrong way to pick colors when shopping for braces—just make sure it’s something you’re happy with by testing them out in person before finalizing anything! If you have any further questions about which shade would work best for your specific needs, please feel free to ask our office staff directly during your appointment.
Size Considerations
If you’re self-conscious about your smile, it can help to think about what you want out of a new set of braces. Do you want to straighten your teeth, or are you more concerned with fixing alignment and bite issues? This is important because different types of orthodontic work require different size brackets. For example, if space is an issue due to overcrowding or a smaller jaw size, colored elastics might be all that’s needed to make your teeth appear straighter—without necessitating larger-sized brackets. However, if crooked teeth aren’t bothering you but gaps are—if for example two teeth don’t touch—your orthodontist might opt for clear plastic retainer attachments as opposed to larger brackets.
Transparency Options
Some adult orthodontists offer transparency options for adults. These trays are made to be worn over your own teeth and are sometimes referred to as invisible braces because they’re clear. You can talk with your orthodontist about whether or not they offer these options, as well as how much they would cost. Keep in mind that every orthodontist has their own policy regarding transparency options, so you may have to do some research to find one in your area who offers them.
