Quick answer
The classic Christmas braces colors are red and green, alternating tooth by tooth. For teeth that look whiter, choose burgundy and dark green (50/100) or navy and silver (51/100) over bright red and green (20/100). Candy cane red and white looks festive, but white bands stain quickly over the holidays.
12 Christmas braces color ideas
Every picture is the same real smile, so you can compare the colours fairly. Tap any idea to open it in the picker and change it to your taste.
Which red and green looks best?
Not every red and green is equal. Bright red and bright green are both light enough to make teeth look a little more yellow. Swapping in darker shades keeps the Christmas feel and makes teeth look brighter.
Dark green scores 42 against 14 for bright green, and burgundy scores 58 against 26 for red. That is why the deep version wins by 30 points. More on the method in how the Tooth Brightness Index works.
Christmas looks ranked for whiter-looking teeth
All 12 ideas sorted by Tooth Brightness Index. Stain risk is the highest of the colours in the look.
| Look | Brightness | Stain risk | Colours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silent night | 51 | Medium | Navy blue and silver |
| Deep red and green | 50 | Low | Burgundy and dark green |
| Hanukkah blue | 43 | Medium | Royal blue and silver |
| New Year's Eve | 40 | Low | Black and gold |
| Classic red and green | 34 | Low | Red and dark green |
| Holly top and bottom | 34 | Low | Dark green and red |
| Frost and snow | 25 | Medium | Light blue and silver |
| Wrapped presents | 24 | Low | Red, dark green and gold |
| Christmas tree | 24 | Low | Dark green and gold |
| Green with one red | 15 | Low | Green and red |
| Tinsel | 14 | Medium | Silver and gold |
| Candy cane | 13 | High | Red and white |
Time your appointment for Christmas
Bands stay on until your next adjustment, usually 4 to 8 weeks. Look at when your visit falls and choose for the weeks ahead.
| Your appointment | What to ask for |
|---|---|
| Early to mid November | Colours that suit Thanksgiving and Christmas, such as burgundy and dark green, or burgundy and gold. More in Thanksgiving and fall colors. |
| Late November to mid December | The full Christmas look. Any idea above will last through the holidays. |
| Late December | Winter colours that still feel right in January: frost and snow, silent night, or black and gold for New Year's Eve. |
| January | Cool winter shades, then red and pink for Valentine's Day. See the 12-month calendar. |
Christmas colours on a power chain
If you wear a power chain, the joined rings can alternate red and green too, which reads as a continuous festive garland across your smile.
Christmas food and your braces
The holidays are hard on brackets and on light bands. A few simple swaps keep both looking good until your next visit.
- Candy canes and hard sweets: let them dissolve or skip them. Biting down can crack a bracket.
- Toffee, caramel and fudge: sticky treats can pull bands loose and bend the wire.
- Nut brittle, popcorn and whole nuts: hard pieces and husks get stuck around brackets.
- Cranberry sauce, hot chocolate, coffee and red berries: these stain white, silver and light blue bands. Rinse with water after.
- Safer treats: soft cookies, plain chocolate, pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes and soft roast vegetables.
Winter braces colours
Want something that lasts past Christmas? Cool winter colours work from December right through February. Navy blue (brightness 80) and dark purple (79) make teeth look whitest, while light blue and silver give a frosty look.
- Navy blue braces for a calm night-sky look.
- Light blue braces for ice and snow.
- Dark purple braces for a rich winter shade.
- Royal blue braces for a bright, cold blue.
Not sure yet? The braces colour quiz picks a colour for you, or try any combination in the braces color picker.
Try it on your own smile
Spin the wheel, mix two colours and see the Tooth Brightness score live.
Common questions
What colors should I get for Christmas braces?
Red and green, alternating tooth by tooth, is the classic choice. Other favourites are red and white for a candy cane, dark green and gold for a Christmas tree, light blue and silver for snow, and navy and silver for a silent night look.
Which Christmas braces colors make teeth look whitest?
Silent night (navy and silver) scores 51 out of 100 on our Tooth Brightness Index, the highest of our 12 ideas. If you want red and green, burgundy and dark green scores 50, compared with 34 for bright red and dark green and 20 for bright red and bright green.
Are white bands a good idea for candy cane braces?
They look great on day one, but white has the highest stain risk of any band colour (99 out of 100). Hot chocolate, cranberry sauce and coffee can turn them cream within days. Silver and red is a safer stripe.
Can you eat candy canes with braces?
It is best to skip them or let them dissolve without biting. Hard candy can crack a bracket or bend the wire, and sticky toffee or caramel can pull bands loose. Soft cookies and plain chocolate are safer treats.
When should I book my appointment to have Christmas colours?
Bands stay on until your next adjustment, usually 4 to 8 weeks. An appointment between late November and mid December keeps Christmas colours on through the holidays. If your visit is in early November, pick colours that work for Thanksgiving and Christmas, like burgundy with dark green.
Can you get Christmas tree or snowflake shaped bands?
Some orthodontists stock novelty ties shaped like trees, snowflakes or stars. They are less common than plain coloured bands, so ask the office before your visit. Plain bands in festive colours work everywhere.
