Quick answer
If you want the safe answer, get navy blue: it makes teeth look whitest (80/100) and hides stains. For something more fun, pair a dark shade with a bright one, like navy with light blue or purple with pink. Take the quiz below for a pick based on your skin tone, tooth shade and style.
Take the braces colour quiz
How the quiz picks your colour
Every answer changes how much weight the quiz gives to the scores we publish for each colour. Nothing is random, so the same answers always give the same result.
| Your answer | What the quiz does |
|---|---|
| Whiter-looking teeth | Gives the Tooth Brightness Index the most weight, so navy, dark purple and black rise to the top. |
| Teeth a little yellow | Adds even more weight to brightness and avoids warm shades like yellow, gold and orange. |
| Coffee, tea or curry every day | Favours colours with a low stain risk and pushes down white, clear and pale pastels. |
| Fun and colourful | Prefers bright, bold and pastel shades over neutrals. |
| Keep it low-key | Prefers neutrals and colours that stand out less on teeth. |
| Your skin tone and vibe | Adds a bonus to colours that suit that skin tone and style. |
The scores behind it are the same ones on every page of this site. You can see all 27 in the colour guide and read how they are calculated on the whiter teeth page.
Quick rules if you just want an answer
- Want whiter teeth? Navy, dark purple, dark blue or black.
- Want colour without losing whiteness? Purple or royal blue, or a dark shade alternating with a bright one. See 24 combos.
- Want them barely noticed? Silver or gray on metal brackets. Read about clear and silver bands first.
- Have deeper skin? Teal, royal blue, turquoise, hot pink and gold all look great. More in colours for your skin tone.
- Big event coming? Plan around it with the seasonal colour calendar.
- Not sure what to skip? Here are the colours to avoid, each with a better alternative.
Try it on your own smile
Spin the wheel, mix two colours and see the Tooth Brightness score live.
Common questions
What color braces should I get if I want whiter teeth?
Navy blue, dark purple, black or dark blue. They score 80, 79, 74 and 74 on the Tooth Brightness Index because they are darker than enamel and sit opposite its yellow tint.
What is the prettiest braces color?
The colours people most often call pretty are purple, pink, light blue and teal. Purple is the best of these for your teeth, scoring 65 on the Tooth Brightness Index, while pink and light blue are softer but do less for whiteness.
Should I pick one colour or two?
One colour looks clean and makes it easy to change next time. Two colours, alternating tooth by tooth, let you pair a flattering dark shade with a fun one, such as navy with light blue or purple with pink.
What braces color should I get for school pictures?
Navy, dark blue or burgundy. They photograph well, keep the focus on your smile and make teeth look brighter, without being as stark as black.
Can I change my mind after picking?
Yes. Bands are replaced at every adjustment, usually every 4 to 8 weeks, so you can choose a new colour or combination at each visit.
