If you’ve just undergone teeth whitening treatment to achieve a brighter, more confident smile, you’re probably excited to begin showing off your teeth to the whole world! That said, did you know that the very clothing, accessories, and makeup you wear can actually enhance your new smile? Likewise, certain colors can also detract from its beauty if you aren’t careful. Here’s what you need to know.
Colors to Avoid After Teeth Whitening
Some colors, as flattering as they may seem, tend to draw out the yellow tones in your teeth, creating an unfavorable contrast that works against your whitening. Yellow and orange are two of the biggest offenders, as these warm tones tend to bring the yellow out of everything nearby, including your smile. Earthy tones, like gold, beige, tan, and khaki, can also subtly work against your smile since they don’t provide the contrast needed to make white teeth stand out.
Colors That Make Your Teeth Look Whiter
Luckily, there are many colors and shades out there that flatter your smile and make your teeth appear even brighter! It’s all about contrast, which is when the opposing color on the spectrum helps cancel out unwanted warmth. Some great options include:
- Cool-toned blues and purples – The blue and violet undertones in these shades provide a nice level of contrast against warm colors, meaning they can make your teeth appear even whiter. Navy, cobalt, lavender, and plum are all excellent choices.
- True reds and berries – These are classic colors that make teeth stand out positively. Cherry red, raspberry, wine, or other reds with cool, blue undertones all create a striking contrast that makes your smile glow.
- Jewel tones – Colors like emerald green, sapphire, and amethyst tend to be very flattering for your smile, since they’re rich but don’t normally contain warm or golden hues.
- Neutrals with cool undertones – Some of your best choices are going to be soft grays and cool taupes, which create a nice backdrop for your smile that helps it look naturally radiant.
Beyond your clothing, your makeup choices, especially lip color, play a significant role in how your smile is perceived. Cool-toned reds and berries are generally the most flattering and can actually help neutralize yellow tones in teeth. On the other hand, nude and brown lip colors are best used sparingly if you’re trying to showcase your whitened smile.
The bottom line is, by leaning into cool tones and avoiding warm, golden hues in your wardrobe and makeup, you’ll help your smile look its absolute best no matter the occasion!
About the Practice
Under the talented leadership of Dr. Barry Miller, our team here at Northwest Family Dental of Marysville has proudly served the dental needs of families in Marysville for several years. We offer a wide range of preventive, restorative, and cosmetic treatment options, including in-office as well as take-home teeth whitening. If you have any questions about the blog or teeth whitening, or you’re ready to schedule an appointment for yourself or a family member, you can call or reach out online today for more information. Telephone: (937) 642-3434.