Braces Colors to Avoid

Getting braces is exciting, but picking the right color? That's where things get tricky. Social media platforms like TikTok are buzzing with orthodontist advice, with popular videos from @thebentist highlighting "Braces colors you should avoid! Yellow makes teeth look yellow. Green looks like food stuck in your teeth." getting hundreds of thousands of views. So let's dive into what colors you might want to skip - and why.

Yellow braces rubber bands showing why yellow should be avoided

Yellow

Yellow and Gold - The Teeth Stainers

Yellow or gold bands can make your teeth look stained—and that's probably not the vibe you want. Think about it - if your teeth already have a slightly yellow tint (which most of us do), adding yellow bands is just going to make that more obvious.

White braces rubber bands showing staining issues

White

White and Clear - The Sneaky Stainers

Here's the thing about white and clear bands - they sound like a safe choice, right? Wrong. "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." Your morning coffee, that pasta sauce, even certain fruits can turn your "invisible" bands into a mess that everyone will notice.

Lime Green braces rubber bands that can look like food particles

Lime Green

Green and Brown - The Food Trap

Colors like "brown or green because someone could mistake them for bits of food stuck in your teeth" are definitely worth avoiding. Brown or Green bands "may be mistaken for food in your teeth," which is just awkward for everyone involved.

Baby Pink braces rubber bands showing pastel maintenance issues

Baby Pink

Pastels - Pretty but High Maintenance

Pastel shades like baby pink, soft blue, or lilac look cute and soft, but they're high-maintenance. Their light tone means they absorb color from food and drinks more easily.

A Bit of Flexibility

This isn't a strict rulebook, and the colors above aren't absolute "don'ts." If a shade connects to your favorite team, school colors, or just feels like a fun combo, it's worth trying. Orthodontic treatment usually lasts a few years, and since you can change your braces colors every 4–6 weeks, there's no reason to stress too much over one choice. If a color doesn't work out, you'll get to switch it soon enough.

Also, keep in mind that colors like yellow or green aren't just one shade. Green alone comes in options like light green, lime, mint, neon, jade, classic, or dark green, and each can look a little different once it's on. Some brands also make lighter elastics with special materials that resist staining better than the usual ones. If you're unsure, ask your orthodontist which choices might hold up best.

Ready to Choose the Perfect Braces Colors?

Now that you know what to avoid, discover the best colors for your smile with our interactive tool!

Try Our Color Wheel