Quick answer
Pick colours that match the next 4 to 8 weeks, since that is how long bands stay on. Popular choices are red and pink for Valentine's Day, turquoise and hot pink for summer, navy and gold for back to school, orange and black for Halloween, and red and green for Christmas.
Timing colours with your adjustments
Bands are changed at every adjustment visit, which for most people is every 4 to 8 weeks. That means the colours you choose today will still be on for the next month or two. Look ahead at what is coming up, a holiday, a school photo day or a wedding, and choose for that.
- Ask when your next visit is before you pick, so you know which events the colours will cover.
- Big photo coming up? Choose a darker shade such as navy, dark purple or burgundy. They help teeth look whiter in pictures.
- Two holidays in one window? Pick a pair that works for both, such as red and dark green from late November through New Year.
A braces colour for every month
Each look is the same real smile. Tap any month to open it in the picker and change it to your taste.
Summer braces colours
Summer is when people go brightest. Turquoise, hot pink, lime, orange and light blue are the favourites. Bright warm shades like lime and orange do pull teeth toward yellow, so if you want a summer look that still flatters your smile, alternate one of them with a dark cool shade, or go with turquoise and hot pink.
Holiday colour tips
- Valentine's Day. Red and pink is the classic. Burgundy with light pink is a softer version that keeps more whiteness.
- St. Patrick's Day. Green and gold, or dark green alone if you want to avoid the food-in-teeth look of bright green.
- Fourth of July. Red, white and blue in a repeating pattern. White bands stain fast, so silver is a good stand-in.
- Halloween. Orange and black alternating. Black balances the warmth of orange.
- Thanksgiving. Burgundy and gold, or orange with burgundy. See all 12 Thanksgiving and fall braces color ideas on a real smile.
- Christmas. Red and dark green, or red and silver for something less busy. See all 12 Christmas braces color ideas on a real smile.
Want to see more two-colour ideas? Browse all 24 combos, or check which colours to avoid before a big event.
Try it on your own smile
Spin the wheel, mix two colours and see the Tooth Brightness score live.
Common questions
What are good summer braces colors?
Turquoise, hot pink, lime, orange and light blue are the most popular summer picks. Turquoise and hot pink together is a bright, beachy combination, and turquoise keeps a little more whiteness than lime or orange.
What braces colors are good for Christmas?
Red and dark green alternating is the classic. Red and silver, or dark green and gold, are softer options. Dark green helps teeth look whiter than bright green.
What braces colors are good for Halloween?
Orange and black. Black helps teeth look whiter, while orange alone makes them look warmer, so alternating the two balances the look.
What colors should I get for Valentine's Day?
Red and pink, hot pink and purple, or burgundy and light pink all work. Burgundy scores best for whiteness of these.
How do I time braces colors for a holiday?
Bands stay on until your next adjustment, usually 4 to 8 weeks. Pick holiday colours at the visit just before the holiday, and ask your orthodontist when your next appointment falls.
