Britons worried about having crooked teeth could get their smile straightened by using Invisalign braces.

According to Dental Plans, teeth aligners such as Invisalign braces remove the need for unsightly metal railings in the mouth and instead act invisibly to straighten teeth without putting a cramp on a person’s style.

Dr Athanasius Morcos, a Florida dentist, commented: "Many adults consider metal braces unsightly."

He therefore advised anyone worried about the alignment of their teeth to consider custom-moulded Invisalign braces as an alternative, as they could provide results which are just as good in the long run.

Elsewhere, cosmetic dentist Ruby Karyadi recently told the Jakarta Post that Invisalign braces could help correct malocclusion and create a stunning smile.

She argued that improperly aligned teeth could be painful for a person, as well as increasing the risk of tooth decay as food and other debris can be trapped between the teeth.

Men have been advised that having stains on their teeth could be prematurely aging them.

According to Models Direct, as teeth age they naturally discolour, but habits like smoking and drinking lots of coffee can speed up this process.

Therefore, by brushing regularly with a teeth whitening toothpaste or by having a teeth whitening procedure, UK men could roll back the years on how old they appear to be.

"Our teeth lose their pearly white colour as we age, so whiter teeth will make you appear younger … Just make sure they’re not so white that they look unnatural!" the agency stated.

The American Dentists Association recently noted people could improve their confidence by undergoing teeth whitening treatments to give themselves a more dazzling smile.

The association stated take home kits can be useful, but for a more permanent, professional finish, people are advised to visit their dentists to carry out the procedure.

More children are developing cavities in their teeth at a young age, new findings have revealed.

According to Child Dental Health Surveys, there has been a rise in the number of four-year-old children who have decayed, missing or filled teeth since 1998.

The report claimed a change in attitudes and an increase in the number of sugary drinks children are allowed has led to this downturn in dental health.

Fountain Gate Dental Care surgeon Desmond Yiu commented: "I’m finding a lot more tooth decay in children than I would expect, particularly given how readily available fluoride is in water and toothpaste."

He advised that parents book their children in for their first dental check up between the ages of 12 and 24 months.

Elsewhere, a dentist’s surgery in Wales is taking part ina programme to help provide emergency dentistry treatments to children affected by the Chrnobyl disaster.

Brynteg Dental Surgery on Mansel Street in Carmarthen is helping provide annual free check-ups for kids from Ukraine.

The number of UK adults who visited a dentist in the last 24 months is now fewer than in the past.

Figures compiled by the NHS Information Centre showed 45.9 per cent of adults saw a dental professional in the two years to June 30th 2009.

However, this was down from the 51 per cent recorded in the 24 months to March 31st 2006.

Tom Brake commented: "Everyone should have their teeth checked regularly because oral health and hygiene is a good indicator of all-round health. Dentists are also well placed to detect the early signs of oral cancers, a growing problem in the UK."

Elsewhere, Dr Anthony Halperin, a London dentist and vice-chairman of the Patients Association, recently said changes to the way the NHS is funded could lead to more dentists leaving the organisation to become private.

He noted the new NHS constitution could spell the end for many NHS surgeries across the UK.

More Britons plan to spend their money on teeth whitening in the next 12 months than will start saving for their retirement, new figures have revealed.

Moneymarket.com reported research carried out by HSBC showed just two per cent of Britons plan to start saving for the future in the next year, while three per cent plan to pay for teeth whitening treatments.

Ian Martin, head of retirement businesses at HSBC Insurance UK, commented: "Many are more motivated by that sparkly smile or dream holiday than the retirement of their dreams and are less educated or aware when trying to plan for the long term."

Elsewhere, research carried out by thegoodsurgeonguide.co.uk recently showed that more than half of all Brits (54 per cent) would be happy to receive a cosmetic dentistry gift this Christmas.

The study revealed that it is becoming more popular for people to buy cosmetic dentistry treatments such as professional teeth whitening for their loved ones.

Britons have been advised on the dangers of grinding their teeth.

Bruxism – the technical term for teeth grinding – can lead to broken sleep patterns, which in turn can lead to degenerating health.

However, a dental surgery in Hull is testing a new device which provides mild electric shocks to patients in order to stop them grinding their teeth while they sleep.

Dr David Vivian, the dentist trialing the device, said: "The broken sleep pattern caused by grinding can exacerbate any stresses or worries already being felt by the patient and add an extra layer of anxiety to their lives."

Elsewhere, Cosmetic Dentistry Guide recently reported researchers from the University of Otago, New Zealand, have published a study showing individuals who are stressed could have poor oral health.

It noted that anxiety of dental procedures could lead to larger problems in the future, as avoiding treatments could mean a small problem becomes a bigger one, leading to a trip to the emergency dentist.

Cosmetic dentist Dr Marc Lowenberg has argued that cosmetic dentistry treatments could help people attain their perfect smile.

He noted, however, that in many cases having imperfect teeth could be the best look for a person, as obviously fake smiles could actually make an individual look worse rather than better.

Dr Lowenberg commented: "Most of the smiles we love are not really perfect – Julia [Roberts], Cameron Diaz, Julianna Margulies, Amanda Peet – they all have imperfect smiles but they are perfect for them."

Elsewhere, Dr Anoop Maini of Aqua Dental Spa recently said more Britons are choosing to undergo cosmetic dentistry treatments than ever before.

He stated staining in particular can be easily treated with an air spray, while teeth whitening treatments could be used to improve the look of teeth that are yellow.

In addition, dental veneers can be useful to restructure a smile if teeth are worn or misshapen.

A chewing gum that can clean teeth and replace toothpaste and the toothbrush has been developed in the US.

Researcher from the University of Kentucky (UK) have created a chewing gum that could help improve oral health.

Pat DeLuca, a professor in the department of pharmaceutical sciences at UK, commented: "It’s something that is going to be very beneficial."

He added that the gum has a number of applications, with it being especially useful for the armed forces and also in helping to improve the quality of life of those in developing countries.

Elsewhere, the Dentistry 2009 conference was held in Abu Dhabi on November 9th where a number of innovations in the dental medicine sector were showcased.

New imaging software, impression materials, hand instruments and implant systems were all on display at the event, with attendees able to see the latest developments which could in the future improve dental services for everyone.

People have been advised to ensure they are always prepared for emergency dentistry by stocking their home first aid kits properly.

Brits should be prepared for a dental emergency by keeping a supply of ibuprofen, soft dental floss, tweezers and gauze in their first aid kits, according to Dr Brian Gold of Monticello, New York.

"You keep medical supplies on hand for cuts and bruises, but what about your teeth? It’s important to be prepared for a dental emergency in case one happens," Dr Gold noted.

He made his comments following the publication of research by Majestic Drug Company, which showed that in the last 12 months one in six Americans who suffered a dental emergency were not prepared to deal with it.

Elsewhere, a study carried out by the Academy of General Dentistry recently showed that extracts of aloe vera could have a beneficial impact on oral health.

It noted that the plant extract has soothing properties that could help teeth and gums stay healthy.

Britons have been urged to instil good oral health habits in their children to avoid trips to the emergency dentists when they get older.

Children learn from observing their parents and as such, it is important for adults to set a good example and maintain a proper oral health routine themselves, according to the Marietta Times.

"Young kids don’t have the manual dexterity to brush as well as they should, but they are able to understand the basics," Dr Austin Rehl commented.

He added that parents will often pass on bad habits to their children and this is something that needs to be tackled.

Elsewhere, the Jakarta Post recently reported that oral health expert Armasastra Bahar advised encouraging youngsters to clean their mouths even before their teeth appear.

He noted that doing so can help a child get used to sensation of a clean mouth and makes it more likely they will continue to have good oral health throughout their lives.