Braces Colors: Fun Choices for Calgary Teens

Posted on 2026-01-08 21:53:42

If you walk into any Calgary orthodontist’s clinic on a weekday afternoon, you’ll find a familiar scene: backpacks on chair legs, a playlist humming in the background, and a question that comes up more than almost any other. What color should I choose today? For teens with dental braces, color is the part they can control. It turns a long treatment plan into something creative and personal. When I worked chairside, I watched shy grade nines light up when they saw their new mint-and-white combo in the mirror. I also saw the wince from a hockey kid who realized too late that neon yellow can look like curry stains in every photo.

There are better and worse choices depending on your style, your schedule, your hobbies, even your school colors. Here’s a Calgary-savvy guide to choosing braces colors that feel fun now and still look good in three weeks when the elastics start to fade.

What “color” means in braces speak

On traditional metal braces, small elastic rings, often called ligatures, hold the wire onto each bracket. Those elastics come in dozens of colors, from clear to cobalt. Ceramic braces also use elastics, though many teens choose neutral tones to keep the brackets subtler. Self-ligating brackets, like some Damon systems, don’t need elastic ties, which limits color play unless you’re using power chains. If you’re doing Calgary Invisalign treatment, color isn’t part of the clear aligner aesthetic, although you can still get personality through case designs, aligner cases, or switching to color bands when elastics are prescribed.

Color elastics are replaced at adjustment appointments, usually every 6 to 10 weeks. That means your decision sticks with you for a while. Early in treatment, when teeth are moving fast and food gets stuck easily, you might appreciate forgiving colors. Later on, you might get more adventurous.

Calgary light, seasons, and how colors read in photos

Color doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It depends https://jsbin.com/jififecahi on lighting and surroundings, which is why the shade you liked on a TikTok video might look different in a Glenmore Park selfie or under the fluorescent lights at SAIT. Calgary’s light tends to be bright and dry, especially with snow on the ground. Blue skies bounce cool tones. That clarity helps whites look whiter, but it can also make overly warm yellows and oranges pop in a way that mimics discoloration.

If you’re taking school photos or involved in winter sports, think about how colors show next to helmets, jerseys, and snow. I’ve seen navy elastics look crisp and almost black on the ice, while reds can blend into the pink of cold lips. In summer, during Stampede, the sunlight is high and the prairie dust is everywhere. Teal and forest green stay saturated and flattering in outdoor photos. Pastels can wash out under harsh noon light, so they suit late-afternoon hangouts or indoor concerts better.

Skin tone, undertone, and a quick mirror test

Lots of advice online says “match your braces to your skin tone,” which sounds obvious and still leaves you staring at a rainbow of options. The useful trick is to think cold or warm. If your skin has cooler undertones, jewel tones like sapphire, emerald, and plum usually brighten your smile. If your undertone is warm, colors like marigold, coral, olive, and chocolate tend to blend politely while keeping teeth center stage. Neutral undertones can wear both, though I suggest avoiding colors that sit too close to your natural lip color or they’ll get lost.

Do a quick mirror test at the clinic. Hold the color ring up, half-smile, and look for two things: Do your teeth look whiter, and does your skin look more even? If yes, you’ve got a winner. If your teeth look more yellow or your lips look chapped, try the neighbor shade. Two minutes now saves six weeks of not loving your look.

Colors that make teeth look whiter, and ones that don’t

If a whiter-looking smile is your priority, choose high-contrast but not harsh colors. Navy, violet, dark teal, and deep berry shades optically cool the enamel and create a tidy outline. Clear or white elastics seem like the obvious way to keep a low profile, but they stain easily from curry, tomato sauce, and even some toothpastes with colored stripes. The result can be the opposite of minimal. Pale yellows and oranges are risky for the same reason. Neons steal attention fast, which is perfect for a theme week, less so for a month of selfies.

For ceramic brackets, smoke or light gray elastics keep the brackets discreet without drawing attention. Clear elastics on ceramic can pick up turmeric or coffee in a matter of days. We warned our latte lovers often: if you need that oat flat white, ask for a straw and rinse with water right after.

Calgary school spirit without regret

Teens across the city wear their school colors with pride, but not every pair sings in your smile. Navy and gold is a classic, yet bright gold elastics can read like mustard. Try navy with a muted metallic or light gray instead. Red and black is bold, but red can ride close to the gum line and look like irritation. If you love the idea, use red on the top canines and black across the rest of the arch, or flip it.

For football, basketball, and dance teams that travel, consider a flexible schedule. Choose team colors for competition season and switch to flattering neutrals during off weeks. Most Calgary orthodontist offices keep a full color palette year-round, and many assistants know the local school combos by heart. Ask and they’ll show you a version that works in real life, not just in fan art.

Holiday themes that don’t overstay

Seasonal colors are fun in the chair and awkward when the calendar moves on. Halloween black and orange looks great for two weeks, then you’re the pumpkin kid in November. Same with red and green in January. The workaround is to use one seasonal color and pair it with a neutral that still feels modern after the event. For Halloween, try black with silver or deep purple. For winter holidays, pick forest green with smoke gray. For Stampede, denim blue with white is sharp for rides and barbecues, and it doesn’t scream costume when you’re at the library the week after.

I’ve seen teens pick soft lilac in early spring and get a flattering, low-maintenance month out of it. It holds its tone better than pink, and it doesn’t clash with graduation photos.

Matching to your lifestyle: sports, arts, and food

If you play hockey or lacrosse, you’ve met the mouthguard rule. Mouthguards cover braces, but color still shows when you’re off the rink. Darker colors resist visible staining from sports drinks better than pale ones. If you’re a swimmer at Repsol or MNP, you might notice that chlorine highlights yellows. Stick with blues or grays.

Musicians who perform under stage lights learn quickly that bright gels can shift color on your teeth. Hot pink can turn electric under magenta. Marine blue stays stable. For dancers and theatre students, consistent colors look more polished across rehearsal footage, so pick one that won’t clash with costumes.

Food is the practical limiter. Calgary has a lively food scene, from Viet subs in Forest Lawn to turmeric-heavy bowls downtown. The reality: clear and pearl elastics pick up color from pho broth, tikka masala, and even kimchi. If you love these foods, choose mid to dark tones or light gray to avoid the stain-anxiety game. Rinsing with water helps, and so does brushing soon after, but no one wants to babysit their braces through every meal.

Mixing, alternating, and power chains

You can treat your braces like a tiny canvas. Alternating colors across your arch creates a playful, beaded effect. It’s especially good for younger teens who want something fun without choosing a bold block color. Top and bottom can be different. If you talk with your hands or smile wide, keep the darker shade on the top so it frames the smile more distinctly, then go brighter on the lower arch.

Power chains enter the chat when your dentist closes spaces. These are connected elastics that run across multiple teeth. They’re fantastic for movement, not for invisibility. Power chains stain more readily than single ties, so if you’re on a chain this month, stick with a mid-tone like smoke, navy, plum, or forest green. If your chain is clear, be mindful with sauces for the first few days, when the material is most receptive to pigment.

What about Invisalign?

Calgary Invisalign has become the go-to for teens who want flexibility. No color ties here, and most prefer it that way. That doesn’t mean no personality. Some aligner cases come in bright shades, and elastics prescribed with Invisalign can have colored bags or buttons, though the elastics themselves are usually clear. More importantly, aligners need consistent wear, 20 to 22 hours a day. If you’re choosing between color fun and the freedom to go brace-free in photos, aligners tip the scale. Still, not every teen is a match for Invisalign from day one. Your orthodontist will weigh bite complexity, compliance habits, and any sports where fixed braces might be safer or simpler with a mouthguard.

A Calgary-specific note on dryness, lips, and comfort

Our climate is dry for much of the year. Dry lips make bright, high-contrast colors look harsher. Keep a beeswax or lanolin balm in your backpack, especially in winter winds. Hydrated lips soften the edge between braces and skin, which makes bold shades feel balanced. Dryness also affects the tiny ligatures. They get brittle faster in winter, so if one pops, call your clinic. Many Calgary orthodontist teams set aside same-day repair slots to keep things moving.

How often to switch and how to plan ahead

Most teens in braces visit every 6 to 8 weeks. That gives you six to ten chances a year to switch colors. Plan around milestones: school photos, tournaments, recitals, holidays. If you want a specific match for a grad dress or jersey, bring a swatch or a photo to your appointment. Colors that look close in your head can be off by two shades on plastic. Having the reference avoids surprises.

If your last set stained more than expected, tell your assistant what you ate and drank. They’ll steer you toward shades that handle your habits better. They also know little adjustments that matter, like skipping red on lateral incisors that sit close to the lip, which can make the mouth look busier.

Parents’ corner: balancing style and practical care

Parents sometimes worry that bold colors mean bold food choices. In practice, the opposite often happens. Teens who own their color choices tend to care more for their braces. A bright set can motivate better brushing because the result is so visible. Still, set a low-drama routine. Keep soft picks in the backpack. Put a travel brush in the hockey bag. Agree on one stain-prone meal a week, then rinse.

If you’re budgeting for Invisalign versus braces, know that aligners shift responsibility to the teen. Some are ready, some aren’t. Lost aligners add cost and time. Fixed braces with fun color changes can be the middle ground: self-expression plus predictable progress. Your orthodontist will be frank about readiness. Trust that conversation more than a promise from a friend’s cousin that “everyone in grade 10 can handle aligners.”

My go-to suggestions for first-timers

Braces day is a lot. Wires feel foreign, lips chafe, and soup suddenly seems like haute cuisine. Don’t add color regret to the mix. For the first visit, try a friendly mid-tone that plays well with everything. Navy, teal, smoke gray, or plum are consistent winners. They make teeth look crisper and won’t advertise a spill from your booster juice. After you get used to the routine, go wild for a round. You’ll know what you can maintain and what clashes with your hoodie collection.

When to avoid a color, even if you love it

Hot pink is cheerful and flattering on lots of skin tones. It can also make the surrounding enamel look warmer if your teeth have naturally yellow undertones. Try fuchsia with a hint of purple to cool it down. Bright orange looks amazing on the soccer field. In math class under cool LEDs, it can echo plaque tones, even on clean teeth. If orange is your signature, pair it with navy. White seems invisible in the chair and looks great for three days, then meets spaghetti and moves into antique ivory territory.

The lesson isn’t to fear color. It’s to pick the version that works for your real life, not an idealized mood board. Most teens figure out a three-shade rotation that feels like them and stick with it.

The hygiene link that no one markets

Every braces color looks best on clean brackets. There’s no marketing around that, just reality. Calgary’s water is hard in some neighborhoods, which leaves mineral spots if you’re not thorough. If your orthodontist has recommended a fluoride rinse, use it at night and let it sit. Don’t rinse with water after. A two-minute brush after school removes the lunch debris that makes even navy elastics look dull.

If you’re managing a packed schedule with late practices, build brushing into the commute. Leave a kit in the car. Ten seconds with a water bottle swish is better than nothing after a teriyaki bowl. We measured in-clinic once out of curiosity. Teens who brushed midday didn’t just have fewer decalcification spots; their elastics looked visibly fresher at four weeks.

Small Calgary stories that say a lot

A grade 11 student from Crescent Heights came in every six weeks with a new combo inspired by her art class palette. She loved pistachio green, which we learned reads cheerful and crisp indoors, but went washed out outdoors. She switched to deep sea green during track season and never looked back.

A goalie from the Northwest Warriors insisted on white for photos. We did it in early September. He had curry with his team two days later and asked for an emergency color change. We laughed about it and moved him to sapphire. He wore it for the rest of the season. The jersey popped, the photos looked intentional, and he stopped worrying about the menu.

A violinist at Mount Royal Conservatory used smoke gray for recital months. It fell away under stage lights and let her expression carry the performance. In summer, she alternated sky blue and lavender, which looked like tiny festival beads in selfies.

None of these were rules. They were personal patterns born from trying, noticing, and adjusting.

Where your orthodontist fits into the decision

Some clinics pre-load suggestions into their color wheel sets, but the best resource is the assistant adjusting your wire. Tell them what you want the color to do: brighten teeth, blend in, show school spirit, survive turmeric. Ask what combinations have worked for other teens with a similar shade of enamel. A seasoned Calgary orthodontist team has seen every success and many regret stories. They’ll steer you gently, not dictate. If you’re doing Invisalign, talk about upcoming events where clear might be a priority. Some teens switch to braces for a short, high-control phase, then back to aligners. It’s not common, but it’s an option in complex cases.

Quick decision support you can do in the chair

If you want whiter-looking teeth, choose a cool, dark shade like navy, eggplant, or forest, and avoid neons and pale yellows. If you want low-profile, ask for smoke gray or light slate, not white or clear, especially if you drink coffee or enjoy spicy foods. If you want team spirit, pair one bold school color with a neutral to reduce clash and extend wearability. If you’re on a power chain, pick mid to dark tones that hide inevitable staining better. If you have photos in two weeks, choose a color that looks good now, not one that needs to “settle.” Mid-tones are safest.

A word on metal vs. ceramic, and why it matters to color

Metal brackets reflect light in tiny highlights that make dark colors feel balanced. Ceramic brackets absorb more light and tend to look larger on the tooth. Dark colors around ceramic can create a checkerboard effect. If you chose ceramic for subtlety, lean on smoke, light gray, or soft jewel tones. The goal is to keep the line of the smile smooth. If you love bold color and want it to pop, metal brackets are the better canvas.

Timing color with oral health checks

Sometimes your orthodontist will put the look on pause to prioritize hygiene. If we see decalcification starting near the gum line, we’ll recommend colors that encourage better care. Not because a shade works magic, but because motivation matters. A teen who chooses their look is more likely to brush carefully around it. We might also shorten intervals temporarily, which means more color changes. Calgary clinics often have flexibility to bring you in at four-week visits during exam season if that helps you keep routines while stress is high.

Budget friendly personalization beyond elastics

If your color options feel limited one month, try small switches. Colored interproximal brushes live in your locker. A new aligner case color if you’re on Calgary Invisalign can match your backpack. Some clinics give wax in different tints, which sounds gimmicky until you catch yourself smiling more because nothing is glaring at you. None of this replaces steady brushing, but the psychological lift is real, especially during long winters.

Final thought for teens and parents

Teeth move on physics, not fashion, and still, fashion makes the journey better. The right braces color is the one you’ll love looking at in three weeks, in a mirror at Southcentre or in the front-facing camera on the CTrain. It’s the shade that plays nice with your favorite foods, looks good with your hoodie, and makes you want to show your smile. Ask your orthodontist for a minute to test a few. Take a breath, take a selfie, pick the one that makes you grin without thinking about it.

Your future self will thank you, and your Calgary orthodontist team will cheer you on, one color ring at a time.

6 Calgary Locations)

Business Name: Family Braces

Website: https://familybraces.ca

Email: [email protected]

Phone (Main): (403) 202-9220

Fax: (403) 202-9227

Hours (General Inquiries):
Monday: 8:30am–5:00pm
Tuesday: 8:30am–5:00pm
Wednesday: 8:30am–5:00pm
Thursday: 8:30am–5:00pm
Friday: 8:30am–5:00pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Locations (6 Clinics Across Calgary, AB):
NW Calgary (Beacon Hill): 11820 Sarcee Trail NW, Calgary, AB T3R 0A1 — Tel: (403) 234-6006
NE Calgary (Deerfoot City): 901 64 Ave NE, Suite #4182, Calgary, AB T2E 7P4 — Tel: (403) 234-6008
SW Calgary (Shawnessy): 303 Shawville Blvd SE #500, Calgary, AB T2Y 3W6 — Tel: (403) 234-6007
SE Calgary (McKenzie): 89, 4307-130th Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 3V8 — Tel: (403) 234-6009
West Calgary (Westhills): 470B Stewart Green SW, Calgary, AB T3H 3C8 — Tel: (403) 234-6004
East Calgary (East Hills): 165 East Hills Boulevard SE, Calgary, AB T2A 6Z8 — Tel: (403) 234-6005

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Maps (6 Locations):

NW (Beacon Hill)

NE (Deerfoot City)

SW (Shawnessy)

SE (McKenzie)

West (Westhills)

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Family Braces is a Calgary, Alberta orthodontic brand that provides braces and Invisalign through six clinics across the city and can be reached at (403) 202-9220.

Family Braces offers orthodontic services such as Invisalign, traditional braces, clear braces, retainers, and early phase one treatment options for kids and teens in Calgary.

Family Braces operates in multiple Calgary areas including NW (Beacon Hill), NE (Deerfoot City), SW (Shawnessy), SE (McKenzie), West (Westhills), and East (East Hills) to make orthodontic care more accessible across the city.

Family Braces has a primary clinic location at 11820 Sarcee Trail NW, Calgary, AB T3R 0A1 and also serves patients from additional Calgary shopping-centre-based clinics across other quadrants.

Family Braces provides free consultation appointments for patients who want to explore braces or Invisalign options before starting treatment.

Family Braces supports flexible payment approaches and financing options, and patients should confirm current pricing details directly with the clinic team.

Family Braces can be contacted by email at [email protected] for general questions and scheduling support.

Family Braces maintains six public clinic listings on Google Maps.

Landmarks Near Calgary, Alberta

Family Braces is proud to serve the Beacon Hill (NW Calgary) community and provides orthodontic care including braces and Invisalign. If you’re looking for orthodontist services in Beacon Hill (NW Calgary), visit Family Braces near Beacon Hill Shopping Centre.

Family Braces is proud to serve the NW Calgary community and offers braces and Invisalign options for many ages. If you’re looking for braces in NW Calgary, visit Family Braces near Costco (Beacon Hill area).

Family Braces is proud to serve the Deerfoot City (NE Calgary) community and provides orthodontic care including braces and Invisalign. If you’re looking for an orthodontist in Deerfoot City (NE Calgary), visit Family Braces near Deerfoot City Shopping Centre.

Family Braces is proud to serve the NE Calgary community and offers braces and Invisalign consultations. If you’re looking for Invisalign in NE Calgary, visit Family Braces near The Rec Room (Deerfoot City).

Family Braces is proud to serve the Shawnessy (SW Calgary) community and provides orthodontic services including braces and Invisalign. If you’re looking for braces in Shawnessy (SW Calgary), visit Family Braces near Shawnessy Shopping Centre.

Family Braces is proud to serve the SW Calgary community and offers Invisalign and braces consultations. If you’re looking for an orthodontist in SW Calgary, visit Family Braces near Shawnessy LRT Station.

Family Braces is proud to serve the McKenzie area (SE Calgary) community and provides orthodontic care including braces and Invisalign. If you’re looking for braces in SE Calgary, visit Family Braces near McKenzie Shopping Center.

Family Braces is proud to serve the SE Calgary community and offers orthodontic consultations. If you’re looking for Invisalign in SE Calgary, visit Family Braces near Staples (130th Ave SE area).

Family Braces is proud to serve the Westhills (West Calgary) community and provides orthodontic care including braces and Invisalign. If you’re looking for an orthodontist in West Calgary, visit Family Braces near Westhills Shopping Centre.

Family Braces is proud to serve the West Calgary community and offers braces and Invisalign consultations. If you’re looking for braces in West Calgary, visit Family Braces near Cineplex (Westhills).

Family Braces is proud to serve the East Hills (East Calgary) community and provides orthodontic care including braces and Invisalign. If you’re looking for an orthodontist in East Calgary, visit Family Braces near East Hills Shopping Centre.

Family Braces is proud to serve the East Calgary community and offers braces and Invisalign consultations. If you’re looking for Invisalign in East Calgary, visit Family Braces near Costco (East Hills).