Although wearing braces can be a lot of extra work when brushing, and require avoiding sticky foods, the end product is a smile you can be proud of. One way to have fun with the braces, since they are typically worn for over a year at least, is to use colored elastic bands instead of translucent ones. There are a few methods you can use to decide which colors to pick. 

Ask to See the Color Wheel

Before you can select a color, you need to know which colors are available. Every orthodontist has a color wheel that you can reference. Not only are there multiple colors, but different shades of each color to consider. 

Take a Look at Your Wardrobe

Take a few minutes to browse through your wardrobe. Do you tend to wear a lot of blues? If so, you may want to pick a shade of blue to match your outfits. Perhaps you tend to sport the color pink and you'd like to complement that color by wearing purple braces. Of course, you can always go with a black or gray that would coordinate with any outfit. 

Use Multiple Colors

You don't have to stick with one plain color. Consider making a statement with your braces. For example, you could show your school spirit by using your school colors, like blue and yellow for example. Another option is to go with the colors of your favorite NFL team. If you're feeling patriotic then ask for red, white, and blue elastics. You can even go with all the colors in the rainbow if you wish.

Ask About Specialty Elastics

Some orthodontists have additional options that may appeal to you. One such example is a set of glow-in-the-dark bands. Anytime the lights go out, your smile will light up a room. There may be an extra charge for these, but they are well worth it if you like to stand out in a crowd. 

Once you pick the colors that most appeal to you, the orthodontist will put them in place. He or she will then give you a bag of rubber bands to take home with you. If they break, or lose elasticity, you'll be able to replace them. This also means that you can change colors at any time, so if it turns out you are not 100 percent happy with the original color choice you made, you can swap them out for a different color later on. 

For more information on braces, contact a company like Wright Center For Orthodontics.