Comprehensive teeth whitening treatments are perfectly safe, according to the experience of three Lifestyle editors.

Jade Bremner, Helen Elfer and Ned Kelly – who work at That’s Shanghai Magazine – underwent halogen light, instant gel and home therapy treatments respectively.

Ms Bremner stated that despite some tingling as bleach was applied to her teeth, 12 minutes under a halogen light left them sparkling white, making any discomfort certainly worth it.

Meanwhile Ms Elfer commented that her two-hour gel treatment resulted in "dazzling" teeth.

Regarding his treatment, Mr Kelly added: "Just pop [the whitening serum] on when you go to bed and gradually, over a period of days, the color changes.

"Though you can’t tell, nor can your friends. The proof is in the before and after pictures."

Earlier this week, Adrian Wozniak wrote for 24medica.com that making use of baking soda and specifically-designed toothpaste can all help people achieve gleaming white teeth.

The cosmetic dentistry market is set to expand at a rate of 6.8 per cent over the next five years, it has been revealed.

According to the Global Dental Devices and Consumables Market Report, the sector will be worth $26 billion (£16.3 billion) by 2014.

The study indicated that consumer awareness of the latest products and technologies is improving and predicted that a shift towards cosmetic dentistry will continue to drive the market for hi-end dental solutions.

In addition, the authors stressed that the growth of the market is likely to be most extensive in the US and European Union.

"The generation of aging baby boomers can afford the quality but expensive dental procedures. This is also expected to be a catalyst for the growth and popularity of cosmetic treatments and implants," they said.

Earlier this week, Swiss company Thommen Medical announced that it will launch a new range of dental implants at this year’s American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons meeting in Toronto.

Sports enthusiasts are set to take part in a fitness challenge that could see them win a teeth whitening treatment.

Illinois-based Premier Fitness Solutions is running a Biggest Loser weight loss competition in an attempt to inspire people to keep fit as they head into the holiday season, the Daily Herald Reports.

The newspaper added that the three biggest weight losers at the end of the 12 week challenge will be able to choose from prizes including teeth whitening treatments, makeovers and tanning packages.

Karina Bukala, one of the company’s trainers, told reporters: "We wanted to do something to give back to the community, and we thought this would help people.

"They will learn that this is something they need to work on all week, not just this one day."

Earlier this week, X-Factor star Cheryl Cole said in an interview with Hello magazine that she will buy fellow judge Simon Cowell a teeth whitening treatment for his birthday.

Finding the perfect cosmetic dentist should not cause a major difficulty for those seeking tooth whitening or dental veneers, it has been claimed.

According to Satya Misra, chief executive of patient acquisition group Action Run, any search for a dentist should include those with the specialised skills that a would-be client is in need of.

"By considering the services that a dentist offers, along with personal referrals from family and friends – and your individual research – you increase your chances of finding a high-quality dentist to perform the services you need," she added.

Ms Misra went on to say that if a patient understands exactly what they require from their dentist, they will be better able to choose a suitable professional to approach for treatments.

Last week Katharine Griffiths, editor of CosmeticSurgeryToday.co.uk, stressed that research is the key to finding a suitable cosmetic surgeon.

She added that this is especially important for those looking to get work done abroad.

Those considering teeth whitening or dental implants should not hesitate if they feel the treatment is necessary, it has been claimed.

Writing for Best Syndication, cosmetic dentist Dr Charles Janes stated that many of today’s procedures can be performed relatively quickly while still achieving top-quality results.

He added that dentists can also offer adult candidates alternatives to wearing braces if they want to avoid the stigma attached to them, adding that most understand what it takes to restore function with an aesthetically pleasing result

"So, rather than believing you are not going to be a candidate for cosmetic dentistry due to the idea that all cosmetic dentists do is make smiles look good, think again," he concluded.

Earlier this week, Roxanne Stein wrote for wptv.com that undergoing a simple teeth whitening procedure can ensure women have brighter smiles.

She added that the long-lasting procedure does not now require any anaesthesia.

Brushing our teeth could help us burn calories and stay slim, it has been claimed.

According to the San Diego News Network, ensuring that our pearly whites are gleaming burns two and a half calories per minute – and experts say we should spend at least two minutes every day doing so.

Writing for the news provider, Jennifer Reed commented: "Don’t forget that swishing mouthwash and flossing will also burn calories. To add some exercise into your routine, try doing squats while brushing."

She added that using a timer while doing this and brushing will help us lose weight and have great-looking legs, as well as spend the appropriate amount of time cleaning our teeth.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that dentists all over the world are recommending teeth whitening bleach as an excellent way to achieve a shiny white smile, with many stating that bright teeth can help people who are looking for a job achieve success.

A youngster in Bermuda required emergency dental treatment when his teeth were knocked out by his next-door neighbour.

Daniel Martin, 17, of Olive Lane in Sandys, was punched in the mouth by Geralvonno Williams, also 17, following a dispute about a motorbike, the Royal Gazette reports.

Mr Williams has been ordered to pay $11,850 (£7,400) in dental fees within one year to cove emergency dental treatment that resulted in false teeth being implanted, according to the news provider.

The newspaper went on to report comments by senior magistrate Archibald Warner that Mr Williams’ probation sentence is a second chance for him and he is lucky not to find himself in prison.

Last week, blogger Bob Wire explained that cutting out sugary snacks can help people avoid emergency dentistry in later life.

He added that too many sweets can lead to children having "rotten teeth crumbling inside their braces" before they hit puberty.

Dental implant company Dentsply has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 (£0.03) per share of common stock.

This is an annual rate of $0.20 per share, which will be payable to holders of record on January 9th next year.

The group manufactures dental prosthetics, precious metal dental alloys, dental ceramics and endodontic instruments for the cosmetic surgery industry and sells its products in over 120 countries.

In addition, the group is also responsible for supplying cosmetic dentistry professionals all over the world with dental handpieces, x-ray film holders, film mounts, impression materials and bone substitute/grafting tools.

Earlier this week, Dr Scott LeSueur and Dr Charles Dodaro from Arizona stressed that there are two types of dental implants which those who struggle with dentures may want to consider.

They commented that mini implants can be placed in a single procedure, while traditional versions can replace each tooth individually or a act as a bridge and full denture.

US film and stage actor Gary Busey has apparently undergone a dental veneers procedure.

An article on makemeheal.com points to a photograph of Mr Busey showing off his bright new smile, although some experts have referred to it as "too perfect".

The teeth are, however, an improvement on Mr Busey’s old set, with dental veneers offering an individual the chance for a complete smile makeover.

People with crooked, stained, damaged or badly worn teeth may be interested in the procedure, which could make a person look younger and more attractive.

Veneers consist of wafer-thin laminates of shells of tooth-coloured material, made of either porcelain, ceramic or composite bonding material.

As Mr Busey probably knows, they are cemented to the front surface of teeth in order to approve their cosmetic appearance.

The 65-year-old actor has had his fair share of ups and downs in his life and is as famous for his arrests and motorcycle accidents as he is for his on-screen antics.

Perhaps his best known on-screen role is his performance in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

Bulimia sufferers could benefit from dental implants, it has been suggested.

Writing for KGMB9.com, Ramsay Wharton highlights the fact that certain oral conditions, namely nausea and vomiting, can damage a person’s teeth.

The damage is caused by stomach acids, which can erode teeth at a fairly quick rate if a person vomits a lot.

Mr Wharton also explained that dental implants may eventually be a consequence for people suffering from a dry mouth condition, which can also harm the teeth.

Saliva is necessary to combat bacteria and food particles, and if there isn’t very much of its then there is a build up of cavity-causing bacteria.

"Long periods of poor oral hygiene result in blackened, rotting even crumbling teeth," he explained on the website.

Studies have suggested that up to one per cent of the population of the UK is suffering from bulimia at any one time, while some medical experts believe this to be an underestimate.