Teeth whitening treatments should be well thought through.

Before carrying out any cosmetic dentistry procedures, Brits have been advised to weigh up the various courses of action that are open them.

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, before carrying out bleaching or teeth whitening, people should ensure they have taken all the preventative measures they can to reduce discolouration of the teeth.

It advised considering the possible side effects of treatment, such as increased tooth sensitivity, tissue irritation or possible root damage.

Furthermore, it noted that bleaching is not recommending for baby teeth and should only be carried out on adults.

Elsewhere, a recent survey of 2,227 US adults by Harris Interactive showed more than half (55 per cent) would like to have teeth whitening treatments carried out in 2010.

Tom Seery, president of RealSelf.com – the firm that commissioned the study – said: “While cost is a major factor, cosmetic surgery requires a much deeper set of considerations around safety and knowledge of what to expect.”

A bright smile is on the wishlist for 2010.

According to a recent survey of 2,227 adults by Harris Interactive, more than half (54 per cent) of all US adults hope to have teeth whitening treatments next year.

The poll of 2,227 Americans revealed that if money was not an issue, at least half would choose to have cosmetic surgery to improve their appearance, with teeth whitening one of the highest ranked wishes.

Tom Seery, president of RealSelf.com – the firm that commissioned the study – said: “While cost is a major factor, cosmetic surgery requires a much deeper set of considerations around safety and knowledge of what to expect.”

Elsewhere, beauty and technology expert Zara Rabinowicz recently noted teeth whitening is likely to become a popular treatment next year, as products get more advanced and the treatment more straightforward and affordable.

She also noted television shows like the X Factor have helped promote the pearly smile as a must-have beauty treatment.

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.

A recent survey has revealed that a proportion of Brits would happily give or receive a cosmetic dentistry treatment as a gift this Christmas.

Research carried out by thegoodsurgeonguide.co.uk showed that 54 per cent of Brits would enjoy receiving teeth whitening or some other form of cosmetic dentistry, while 37 per cent of people are considering whether to purchase such a gift this year.

Christiana Clogg, co-founder of thegoodsurgeonguide.co.uk, commented: "There are a large amount of cosmetic procedures that are not as costly as people may believe and these are the treatments that are being purchased as gifts."

Karen Coates, dental advisor for the British Dental Health Foundation, recently noted that stains are a growing problem for many Brits and this is why teeth whitening is becoming a more popular treatment.

She claimed more people are choosing to undergo the procedure in order to keep their pearly whites dazzling.

Research carried out by Oral B has revealed that having bad teeth can age a person by up to 13 years, it has been revealed.

According to the Daily Mail, Britons worried about the state of their smile might be interested in teeth whitening treatments after the study showed that on average, discoloured teeth could significantly increase how old a person appears to be.

Dr Phil Stemmer, dental ambassador for Oral B, said: "Teeth are important to the way you look and how confident you feel but it also has an impact on your overall health which can often be overlooked."

Meanwhile, Cosmetic Dentistry Guide recently revealed that maintaining the right pH balance in the mouth is important to help stop teeth prematurely aging.

It noted that excessive brushing can erode tooth enamel, as can having insufficient levels of saliva in the mouth. Therefore, it is important to remain well hydrated and not go overboard on oral health routines.

Britons have been advised on a number of simple methods they can employ to keep their teeth white and looking healthy.

Sean Hartman wrote in a blog post for Rooney and Rooney Dentistry that an at-home bleaching kit could be the right choice for those who do not need a major whitening effect, although for those with tough stains or gum issues, it would be prudent to let a dental professional carry out the procedure.

However, he noted: "If you’ve tried everything and you aren’t achieving the results you desire, veneers may be the best option. Although the most involved and expensive, veneers last up to 20 years and are guaranteed to bring you a whiter smile."

Meanwhile, Sebastian Guthery, a dental health industry commentator, recently argued that Britons considering teeth whitening treatments should ask around their friends and family to find a recommended dental professional to carry out the procedure.

He argued that past experiences of loved ones would help a person find a reliable dentist.

People hoping to achieve a pearly white smile may be interested in a series of tips for teeth whitening.

Drawing on expert advice, the editors of Good Housekeeping published advice on making a smile brighter on msn.com.

Firstly, people must determine whether they are suitable for the treatment. Those who should not have teeth whitening include people whose teeth are painfully sensitive to cold, those with crowns or fillings in their front teeth and people with grey, rather than yellow enamel.

Dr Jeff Golub-Evans, practitioner of cosmetic dentistry in New York advised getting the green light from a dentist before attempting the process at home.

He said when holding a piece of printer paper next to the teeth, if the colouration appears yellow, they are suitable for bleaching.

But those that appear grey may have discolouration inside the teeth themselves and therefore the treatment may not help.

Furthermore, the article advised using trays and strips in order to get the most dramatic whitening effect, while toothpastes and brushes brighten by a shade or two.

The British Dental Foundation recently advised against having teeth whitening procedures done at beauty salons and instead encouraged people to go to a dentist.

While it is common knowledge that highly acidic foodstuffs can have a detrimental impact on tooth enamel, scientists have now discovered that alkaline-rich items could also cause erosion.

Research carried out at the University of Gothenburg has revealed that alkaline substances can damage the organic parts of a teeth, leading to a weakening of the enamel and a greater chance of decay, a situation which could result in a trip to see the emergency dentist.

Fabian Taube, a researcher who took part in the study, said: "While occupational oral damage from alkaline is less common than damage caused by acidic substances, it can be a problem."

A study carried out by scientists at Johannes Gutenberg University in Germany recently showed that white wine could be more damaging to teeth then red.

It revealed that while red wine can stain teeth, white could wear away tooth enamel, leading to a greater likelihood of white wine drinkers developing sensitive teeth.

Brits interested in looking younger might want to invest in teeth whitening to brighten their smile and regain a youthful appearance, it has been claimed.

Celebrity dentist Tariq Idris told the Sun that anti-ageing "teeth overs" can help restore a person’s lost youthful look and give them a new lease of life.

He told the publication: "Whiter teeth are a sign of youth, whereas worn and discoloured teeth imply an older age."

Dr Idris added there are a number of relatively inexpensive currently available to help a person’s smile more presentable, including having white fillings, cosmetic bonding, as well as home teeth whitening kits.

Meanwhile, US local newspaper the New Haven Register recently reported that Liz Cook, 33, a medical sales representative from Oxford, believes the key to being attractive is to have a nice smile.

She noted that teeth whitening is one way to achieve this and claimed it is a painless and relatively inexpensive treatment that can reap dividends for a person’s self confidence and overall appearance.

Brits interested in looking younger might want to invest in teeth whitening to brighten their smile and regain a youthful appearance, it has been claimed.

Celebrity dentist Tariq Idris told the Sun that anti-ageing "teeth overs" can help restore a person’s lost youthful look and give them a new lease of life.

He told the publication: "Whiter teeth are a sign of youth, whereas worn and discoloured teeth imply an older age."

Dr Idris added there are a number of relatively inexpensive currently available to help a person’s smile more presentable, including having white fillings, cosmetic bonding, as well as home teeth whitening kits.

Meanwhile, US local newspaper the New Haven Register recently reported that Liz Cook, 33, a medical sales representative from Oxford, believes the key to being attractive is to have a nice smile.

She noted that teeth whitening is one way to achieve this and claimed it is a painless and relatively inexpensive treatment that can reap dividends for a person’s self confidence and overall appearance.