Service your smile

7:00am Saturday 10th May 2008

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WITH Simon Cowell's glowing gnashers topping a list of the smile people would most like to have, we take a look at the dangers of home whitening and the dentists reveal the best way to really take care of your teeth.

By Gabrielle Fagan

ONE of the trademarks of today's celebrities is a dazzling smile so perhaps it's hardly surprising that many of us now regard a full set of gleaming white teeth as an essential - and synonymous with success.

We yearn to have smiles like Kylie Minogue or George Clooney according to research by the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, which found other "top rated smiles" are flashed by Julia Roberts and Simon Cowell.

In reality a third of us are "concerned about the look of our teeth" while a fifth of people are so embarrassed by less than perfect gnashers that they usually conceal them in photos.

National Smile Month (May 18-June 17) is upon us and Dr David Bloom, dentist and president of the BACD, said: "Our research found that people nowadays put a very high value on a good smile. Women believe it indicates a warm personality while men consider a good smile leads to success in life."

Achieving that mega-watt beam is no longer a luxury confined to the rich and famous because new technology - and competitive pricing - means more and more of us are turning to teeth whitening, which can be done safely and effectively.

However, while cosmetic dental whitening accounts for more than 30 per cent of dental procedures, there are perils. Choose the wrong method, warn dentists, and you can permanently damage teeth by dissolving the delicate enamel coating, harm gums or find teeth become hyper-sensitive to changes in temperature caused by hot or cold drinks.

Dr Uchenna Okoye, a board member of the BACD and dentist on the new series of Channel 4's 10 Years Younger, says: "None of us these days want to grow old gracefully, so we're all striving to look better and younger. That desire is further fuelled by people copying the style of their celebrity idols.

"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."

Generally, it's natural for the gleaming teeth of our childhood to discolour over time, as Dr Okoye of the London Smiling dental practice, explains: "Our teeth inevitably darken as the enamel matures over the years. Coffee, tea, red wine, curry and cigarettes all speed up that process. Removing those stains and treatments like whitening can visibly remove years from a person's age.

"The benefits shouldn't be under-estimated. I've had people telling me after treatment that the improvement has led to promotions or even proposals of marriage."

She, in common with many dentists, had her own teeth whitened - surveys have shown that on healthy teeth it does no damage - but she emphasises the need to seek advice and ideally treatment from a professional dentist.

"Sadly, some patients come to me for help because they're experiencing pain and problems after perhaps having treatments done by unqualified people in beauty salons, going abroad to get so-called bargain treatment, or using a cheap "DIY" whitening kit they've bought over the internet."

Teeth whitening carried out by non-dentists is illegal in the UK but last year a Which? report revealed many beauty salons undercutting dentists' prices and employing beauty therapists who, after a few days training, applied harmful chemicals with the potential to damage clients' gums and teeth. Around 70 clinics were investigated by The General Dental Council.

Also tests carried out by the Trading Standards Institute in June 2007 on a range of "DIY" whitening kits found a proportion contained hydrogen peroxide above legal limits.

Ron Gainsford, chief executive at the TSI, warns: "Our tests found high levels of hydrogen peroxide which can aggravate gum disease and cause sensitive teeth - even chemical burns in the mouth."

Dr Okoye suggests these simple guidelines: "If you want teeth whitened it's vital that you consult a dentist first so he or she can assess what has caused discolouration of teeth and what whitening method will work best for you as an individual. Otherwise, you can end up not just disappointed but suffering a lot pain and grief."

TOP SAFETY TIPS

Don't whiten unhealthy teeth. Dr Okoye says: "If you have gum disease or any holes in your teeth these should be successfully treated before any whitening.

"Yellowing teeth can be a sign of decay. If you bleach teeth in that state you can make the decay worse and weaken the teeth."

Be aware that no teeth whitening is permanent and will need regular maintenance or top-up treatments.

Dr James Goolnik, dentist and vice-president of the BACD, warns: "Websites which sell 'professional' whitening kits with over six per cent hydrogen peroxide are unsafe and if the Government follows an EU guideline will soon be completely illegal.

"They are sold as 'safe' but can easily harm someone, especially if a dentist has not advised on whether teeth are even suitable for whitening. These gels, with such a high amount of chemicals, could burn people's gums or damage teeth permanently."

Women should not bleach their teeth if pregnant or breastfeeding.

BEWARE CELEBRITY GLARE

Brilliant white teeth shouldn't be the ultimate goal according to Dr Okoye. She says: "These often don't look natural and simply shriek 'I've had to whiten my teeth' so drawing attention to the ageing process rather than the reverse.

"Even in America, where pure white teeth originated, dentists are now looking to the UK for guidance to achieve a brighter but altogether much more natural colour so that teeth complement an individual's face."

As a guide to the degree of whitening that can be achieved and the tooth colour to aim for she looks at the colour of the cornea (the white of the eye) of the person.

"The cornea colour remains unchanged throughout our life. If there's a strong contrast between that and the unwhitened teeth colour it's likely that the teeth will whiten well. I usually aim to harmonise a person's cornea colour with their teeth shade."

WAYS TO IMPROVE TEETH COLOUR

Teeth Cleaned By Dental Hygienist:

Result: Can lighten teeth by 2-3 shades.

Cost: Varies but around £25.

Dr Okoye says: "Many people benefit from simply having a regular routine clean by a dental hygienist. This can reduce the build-up of stains caused by the common culprits - smoking, wine, coffee and tea."

She also recommends products such as Sensodyne Whitening toothpaste and Colgate Whitening Toothpaste to remove external stains and says some specialist toothbrushes may aid stain removal.

Philips Sonicare HealthyWhite toothbrush is one which claims to make teeth "two shades whiter in two weeks". It's available from Boots, Argos and pharmacies and supermarkets nationwide and starts from around £79.99. www.sonicare.co.uk

Light Assisted Bleaching:

Result: Can lighten teeth by 10-12 shades and results can last for at least a year. The advantage is it's quick - treatment only takes around an hour. A light laser enhances the effect of the whitening (bleach) solution by heating it while it is on the teeth.

Cost: Around £800 for one session.

Dr Okoye says: "It's essential to have a consultation before treatment to assess whether a patient is suitable. Some people prone to sensitive teeth should either not have this or may need desensitising sessions beforehand."

More applications of gel can also be taken home and applied, without the light, to further enhance the whiteness.

Home Whitening Using Kit Provided By Dentist:

Result: Lightens teeth by up to 10-12 shades and lasts from six months to a year. The most popular method but will not alter the colour of fillings, crowns or other dental work, or roots of teeth exposed as gums recede. A dentist will make a mould of your teeth which is turned into a custom-made shield - a tray - for the bottom and top teeth.

These, into which you squeeze the bleaching gel, are worn daily for up to four hours at a time over a period of up to three weeks. Teeth can be left feeling sensitive but using toothpaste for sensitive teeth can ease this.

Cost: Starts from around £300 up to £500 and top up treatments around £60.

Dr Okoye says: "It's gentle, can improve the health of gums by killing off bacteria and it's easy to do."

Teeth Veneers:

Result: Teeth a shade and shape you choose which can last between 15-20 years. This is one of the alternatives for people who are not suitable for teeth whitening. A dentist removes part of the existing enamel before bonding on the veneer which is usually made from porcelain.

Cost: Anything from £4,000 to £40,000 for a full set of teeth. Around £800 for one tooth.

Dr Okoye says: "This is expensive - and the choice for many movie stars - but it can transform a person's smile. You can tailor the shape and colour of the veneers so it totally enhances the face and it can a person look up to 20 years younger. It can also mean there's no need for collagen or lip implants as the teeth will support the lips better and make the mouth look fuller.

"I have clients who say instead of spending their money on a new car or kitchen they'd prefer to spend it on something that they will affect their day-to-day life - their personal appearance."

REGIONAL SMILETISTICS:

The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (www.bacd.com) reveals how we value a smile around the UK.

Scotland: Scots show off their smile but shun cosmetic treatment. Only 14 per cent of Scottish respondents conceal their smile in photographs, compared to the national average of 18 per cent. Only a quarter (27 per cent) of Scottish people are concerned with the look of their teeth (lower than the national average and the lowest among all regions) and they're least likely to invest in aesthetic dental treatments (35 per cent).

North: Over a quarter (26 per cent) of those in the North have had cosmetic dentistry, not far behind the 28 per cent of Londoners who splurged on cosmetic dentistry procedures. Almost half (47 per cent) of Northerners feel that cosmetic dentistry can improve their smile, compared to only 35 per cent of Scots.

Midlands and Wales: Those from Midlands and Wales are most likely to conceal their teeth in photographs (20 per cent). Around 28 per cent believe an attractive smile was crucial to success in life and career, and they are most likely to visit a dentist. Only 27 per cent of people living in Midlands and Wales will always smile in photographs, compared to the considerably higher national average of 32 per cent.

London: Londoners are the most likely to have cosmetic dentistry done (28 per cent compared to the national average of 24 per cent). Londoners were also more likely than average to request white fillings and veneers. They are also the most likely to believe that "people are judged by their smile" - with over two-fifths (44 per cent) believing so.

South: Only one-fifth of Southerners believe that people with an "attractive" smile are more confident (the lowest in the country) and they're least likely to have cosmetic dentistry (18 per cent).