There's much to be gained if your teeth aren't stained

PEARLY whites? For the blessed few maybe, but for most of us our teeth are anything but gleaming. Thanks to red wine, coffee, rich foods, cigarettes and general neglect, or what nature was stingy on, our teeth's enamel is likely to be discoloured to some degree.

Gleaming whites are the trademark of today's celebrities. So it's hardly surprising many of us now regard a set of sparklers as synonymous with success. With National Smile Month under way, more and more of us are seeking a white glow.

"Our research found people put a high value on a good smile," says Dr David Bloom, president of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. "Women believe it indicates a warm personality, while men consider a good smile leads to success in life."

Celebrity dentist Uchenna Okoye of Channel 4's Ten Years Younger, agrees and adds: "A beautiful smile is key to a good appearance, because when people meet us for the first time they focus on our eyes and smile.

"Yellowing or discoloured teeth have an instant ageing effect and teeth whitening is one of the easiest and cheapest ways of changing that.

"Our teeth inevitably darken as the enamel matures over the years. Removing those stains can visibly remove years from a person's age. The benefits shouldn't be underestimated. I've had people telling me after treatment that the improvement has led to promotions or even proposals of marriage."

Achieving that megawatt smile is no longer the preserve of the rich or those with private medical plans. New technology and competitive pricing have meant more of us are turning to teeth whitening.

Cosmetic dental whitening today accounts for more than 30 per cent of dental procedures. But there are perils. Choose the wrong method, dentists warn, and you can permanently damage teeth by dissolving the delicate enamel coating, harm gums or find that teeth become hyper-sensitive to changes in temperature caused by hot or cold drinks. According to a Which? report there are pitfalls in the pursuit of a brighter smile, with many beauty salons employing therapists to apply the harmful chemicals, while many off-the-shelf products don't live up to their claims.

Emma Copeland, principal researcher for the magazine, says: "At best the products we looked at are unlikely to remove more than surface stains – and some of them may not even do this very well." Edinburgh dentist, Gilly Maidment, of Stafford Street Dental Care, agrees.

She says: "DIY kits are very acidic and make the teeth very sensitive. Professional teeth-whitening breaks up the staining, while the DIY kit takes a layer away. Once it's gone you can't put the enamel back."

In recent years, Gilly has witnessed an increase in the number of people in the Capital requesting teeth whitening.

"When you know your smile looks as good as it could be, it gives you confidence," she says. "You can improve the appearance in a conservative way, and if you are young it can be achieved pretty quickly."

Some people's teeth are denser than others and need more work. Others are not, and too much whitening can irreversibly damage them.

"Tooth whitening should only be done by dentists – experts who know teeth and can assess each individual," says Gilly. "The products used can be acidic and should be prescribed. A consultation with a dental expert is so important, as you could ruin your teeth."

The clinic offers two treatments – Power Whitening, which costs £600 and involves a one-hour whitening process that can whiten teeth by several shades.

Gilly explains: "Everything is carefully protected. Your lips and gums are covered and a hydrogen peroxide gel is applied to your teeth. A special light is positioned over your teeth to activate it. This breaks up stains and discolouration. This is followed by a stabilising treatment to use at home."

Then there is the home whitening tray, which costs £360. A custom-made mouth tray is created and a whitening gel is placed in it. The tray is worn through the night for two weeks. "It gives the same effect, but it just takes longer," adds Gilly.

So with National Smile Month now in full swing, here's just how you can brighten those gnashers – without damaging them.

THE PROFESSIONAL WAY
Stafford Street Dental Care (0131-225 7576) has a range of dentists who can carry out professional teeth whitening for as little as £360. Pilrig Dental Practice (0131-554 1606) also provides dental work following a consultation to assess whether you are eligible.

Prices start at £285 for the at-home bleaching kits and custom-made mouth trays; or there is the deep bleach (£585), which includes deep bleaching trays used for 14 days, followed by a one-hour deep bleach in the dental surgery.

Sk:n beauty clinic on Hanover Street (0131-226 5660) has a qualified dentist who specialises in teeth whitening. The clinic does laser treatments, home kits, inside and outside bleaching and deep bleaching. It charges £445 for the most common treatment – the combination one-hour laser treatment, followed by at-home, custom-made trays.

NATURAL
You could always mash some strawberries and massage over the surface of your teeth; or you could take away those stains with some burnt toast mixed with flavoured oil. Cotton soaked in baking soda and lemon juice mixture wiped to the teeth is also claimed to work.

How about gorging on food that produces a good flow of saliva? Apples, carrots, pears, celery, cucumbers and cauliflower all do this. The fibre content in these foods helps remove bacteria. Up your water intake too.

You could just stay away from caffeine, red wine, dark-coloured soft drinks such as cola, rich foods and cigarettes.

FAKE IT
There's more to a smile and flashy whites than a whitening treatment. You can conceal, enhance and show off those seemingly pearly white gnashers in an instant. It all comes down to a careful selection of lipwear.

Colours such as orange-red make teeth look more yellow, and the easiest way to make them look whiter is a nude or pink lip gloss. To make lips look fuller, always add a clear gloss on top of any colour for a plumper pout.

Lancome's range of nude and pink lip colours make them a great instant teeth whitener. Try Lancome's Juicy Tubes in marshmallow electro or mulberry blues (each £13.50, Jenners).

Simply slick on those lips to reveal whiter teeth. Oh, and that pout looks plumper too thanks to the reflective particles and hydrating ingredients.