Short new webisodes are to be targeted at members of the public considering a teeth whitening procedure.

The American Dental Association (ADA) is launching its Straight from the Mouth initiative, which is made up of three-to-five minute podcasts covering a range of oral health information.

These will be posted monthly and are available for download on iTunes and ADA.org.

Commenting on their introduction, California-based dentist Ruchi Nijar Sahota said: "We’re having a lot of fun with these but at the heart of each episode is sound clinical and scientific information to help people maintain their oral health."

The first Straight from the Mouth episode concentrates on overcoming dental anxiety, which has caused some people to neglect their teeth and gums.

Other topics covered include dental care for children and dental care while travelling abroad.

People thinking of having a teeth whitening procedure to brighten up their smile are encouraged to visit a cosmetic dentist.

Women who undergo a teeth whitening procedure can benefit from brighter looking smiles, it has been suggested.

Writing for wptv.com, Roxanne Stein says that there are ways to combat the inevitable yellowing of teeth – a common occurrence in older people.

Ms Stein points to the example of jobseeker Anne Marie Groves, who is keen on looking her best when attending interviews.

She opted for a bleach-free whitening procedure, having decided against porcelain veneers and bleaching.

"A lot of people are not candidates for bleaching because their teeth are so sensitive," Ms Groves said.

She went on to explain that her procedure involved a "dental sealant material but in a lighter opaque colour".

"The procedure doesn’t require any anaesthesia, it doesn’t take long to complete and it’s also long lasting.

"It’s also good for anyone with any sensitivity to traditional teeth bleaching," the patient commented.

The News of the World recently reported that Gary Lineker’s wife Danielle Bux has paid £500 for a teeth whitening procedure.

Increasing numbers of people are opting for mini dental implants – but what exactly are they?

Praised for their ability to withstand pressure immediately, mini dental implants are narrow implants that are particularly beneficial in replacing missing small teeth and immediately stabilising lower jaw dentures.

They differ from traditional implants because they are less invasive, less costly, involve quicker and fewer visits to the dentist and require less healing time.

US dentist Dr Tracy Davis explained that, while mini dental implants are not suitable for everyone, their benefits "are immense".

"The best thing we can provide our patients as a practice is options and mini dental implants are a great option for many prosthetic dental procedures," she said.

"Imagine the benefits of having an implant placed and the custom crown cemented in the same visit."

It was reported earlier this month that the recession may have an impact on the number of dental implant procedures taking place.

Instances of tooth decay in Irish children may be reduced thanks to a new initiative based at University College Cork.

Funded by the country’s Health Research Board, the scheme has produced comprehensive evidence-based guidelines, which will help prevent further cases of tooth decay, currently the single most common chronic disease in Irish children.

Lead researcher and senior dental surgeon Dr Carmel Parnell said that it is now known that children are being seen "too late to effectively prevent decay".

"With all of the research evidence pointing towards early identification and preventive measures, particularly at a very young age, we realised that we need involve public health nurses, practice nurses, GPs and other primary care workers … in identifying preschool children at high risk of decay," she explained.

Dr Carmel Parnell went on to say that this "seemed the most practical way" of developing needs-based access to dental services.

Tooth decay is currently the most common cause of tooth loss in younger people, with the disease affecting almost everybody at some point in their lives.

Ricky Gervais has suggested that he should have had cosmetic dentistry before playing dentist Dr Bertram Pincus in Ghost Town.

Recalling an interview about the 2008 movie, Gervais said: "Once a journalist said to me: ‘In your movie, you have the most amazing set of horrible-looking fake teeth.’ I said, ‘No, they are my own teeth’."

He added: "The journalist went red and I said: ‘Don’t worry about it. If you haven’t noticed, I’m English’."

While hindsight is a wonderful thing, others can avoid Ricky’s predicament and opt for cosmetic dentistry, which can give a person renewed confidence as they strive to move up the career ladder.

Gervais has also admitted that he doesn’t particularly look forward to acting roles where he has to put on an accent, use a wig or kiss one of his co-stars.

The actor achieved fame in television series The Office, in which he plays boss-from-hell David Brent.

Gervais is now a celebrated comedian, author, actor, director, producer and screenwriter, while he also had a brief stint as a pop musician.

Girls Aloud starlet Cheryl Cole has said that she will buy X Factor judge Simon Cowell teeth whitener for his birthday.

She joked with Hello! magazine that she will "have to think about" what to buy Cowell, who is famous for his pearly whites.

The pair work alongside each other on the ITV show and Cowell is due to turn 50 next month.

During her interview with the magazine, Cole also admitted to being a huge fan of Beyonce, another celebrity known for her perfect teeth.

Since becoming an X Factor judge, Cole has gone on to become an international style icon, having recently appeared on the cover of Vogue.

And she’s not going anywhere anytime soon. Far from it in fact – with Cole’s debut solo album, 3 Words, due to be released on October 26th.

She married Chelsea and England footballer Ashley Cole in July 2006 and is currently working on the sixth series of X Factor.

Those looking at teeth whitening procedures can try several different methods at home.

This is according to an article on 24medica.com by Adrian Wozniak, who says that these offer different benefits and minimal side effects, the most of common of which is gum irritation.

While none of these are as effective as professional dental whitening, he says, paint or brush-on formulas can help, with these applied after a person brushes their teeth in the morning or evening.

"This will probably work on teeth that only need to be lightened a few shades," Mr Wozniak wrote.

"Very yellow teeth and teeth stained through use of medications like tetracycline are unlikely to respond to this method."

The dental expert also recommended whitening toothpaste, which he referred to as the "easiest way" to whiten your teeth while at home.

Individuals with yellow teeth, however, should opt for teeth whitening strips, which consist of plastic strips coated on one side by hydrogen peroxide.

Those wanting to guarantee pearly white teeth should consider visiting a cosmetic dentist, with this accepted as the most effective and safe teeth whitening method.

A new era in state of the art teeth implants has begun, it has been suggested.

Swiss company Thommen Medical is due to launch a new range of products at this year’s American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons meeting in Toronto.

These will, for the first time, give power back to the clinician by allowing an implant to be "conditioned perfectly", without adding any time to a procedure.

Thommen Medical is launching two products – APLIQUIQ and INICELL – which are pioneers of oral implant technology.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr Robert Hinkle, who practices in Ohio, said his first clinical experience with the products was "fantastic".

"The conditioned INICELL surface was clearly hydrophilic and handled beautifully," he commented.

"This state of the art, chemically enhanced surface will allow me to provide my patients cutting edge dental implant therapy."

Girls Aloud fans must be wondering whether Nicola Roberts will require teeth implants after she was recently photographed missing a tooth on her bottom jaw.

Teeth implants should be considered as a replacement for removable dentures.

This is according to Phoenix & Mesa Cosmetic Dentistry, which recommends mini implants as a less invasive alternative to traditional dentures.

A single procedure allows mini implants to be placed, which contrasts with standard implants, which require a two-part procedure and a significant period of healing.

Mini implants could appeal to those who wish to replace a single tooth, replace a bridge or full denture or to hold removable dentures in place.

"It’s not necessary to make incisions in the gums, nor are there any stitches to be removed later," a company statement said.

"The mini implants are fixed with a special attachment that fits into the bottoms of your dentures, holding them securely in place."

A further bonus of the implants is that they won’t move while a person chews or talks.

It was reported earlier this month that the recession may limit the number of dental implant procedures taking place.

Undergoing a teeth whitening procedure is one of the most affordable ways to get those pearly whites shining again.

This is according to dentist Dr Dan Utley, who told thespectrum.com that teeth whitening will only work for natural teeth, not those with tooth-coloured crowns or fillings.

"New whitening processes and materials have not only lowered the cost of whitening, but provide more dazzling results in less time," Dr Utley told the website.

The dentist also recommends composite bonding as an "excellent way" to repair chipped, broken or discoloured teeth as well as those that have decayed or a way to replace silver fillings.

"The dental composite material with the look of natural enamel and dentin is applied into the cavity or onto the surface of the tooth," Dr Utley said.

He went on to explain that the material is then sculpted into shape, contoured and hardened with a high intensity light.

The beauty of the procedure is that the restoration "blends invisibly" with the remaining structure of the tooth.

Leading US dentist Dr Jan Linhart recently said that that having a dental implant can improve a person’s quality of life.