Former singer Kerry Katona has undergone a teeth whitening procedure ahead of her rumoured stint as a contestant on Celebrity Big Brother, it has been revealed.

According to the Surrey Herald, the ex-Atomic Kitten songstress attended an appointment at Portmore Dental Office in Monument Hill to make improvements to her pearly whites earlier this week.

The star, whose previous substance abuse issues received extensive media coverage, claimed the treatment would boost her confidence before entering the house tonight (August 18th).

She also revealed she had lost almost a stone in weight in one week after taking part in a gruelling military-style work-out in a bid to get in shape.

"I am both nervous and excited about going into the Big Brother house. But knowing I have nice, white teeth that I can dazzle the audience with will boost my confidence," she remarked.

Among the other celebrities rumoured to be featuring are former Baywatch actress Pamela Anderson, The Only Way Is Essex's Amy Childs and Sally Bercow.

While teeth whitening is an entirely safe procedure, it is important that patients do not go overboard and have excessive treatments, one expert has said.

Speaking to DrBicuspid.com, Dr Matthew Messina, spokesperson for the American Dental Association, said that some people will have teeth that are as white as they can be, yet they feel there is room for improvement.

"It's useful to remind people that even though teeth whitening is safe and effective, it should not be done all the time," he stated.

This view is echoed by Dr Kellee Stanton, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, who added that whitening treatments can be touched up every six months or so and that patients can help themselves by avoiding food and drink that are likely to stain their teeth.

The British Dental Health Foundation recently urged young people to avoid smoking and alcohol consumption, as both increase the risk of them developing gum disease in later life.

Image-conscious individuals contemplating teeth whitening procedures could be interested in recommendations from the British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF).

According to the organisation's chief executive Dr Nigel Carter, limiting the consumption of coloured food and drink could be a natural method of protecting smiles.

His comments emerge after the Scottish Daily Herald reported actor James McAvoy had succumbed to Hollywood pressure and received cosmetic dentistry.

The X-Men star reportedly decided to get his teeth whitened and straightened, despite previous claims he was unwilling to change his appearance for his job.

Dr Carter insisted that before opting for such procedures, it is vital that people adopt an at-home routine to ensure overall oral health is maintained.

He recommended the use of fluoride toothpaste in a bid to remove often unsightly stains caused by smoking, red wine or coffee.

"Whitening toothpaste may also help the effect last, once your teeth have been professionally whitened," he added.

The British Dental Association (BDA) has welcomed a government commitment to address concerns over teeth whitening treatments in the UK.

Edward Davey MP, parliamentary undersecretary of state at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, said whitening products should not be directly available to consumers.

He has also promised to raise the issue of chlorine dioxide in whitening products with the European Commission – a pledge that was met with approval by the BDA.

The association previously voiced concerns that the stance taken by trading standards officials over the procedure may prompt people to seek whitening treatments from unregulated practitioners and non-dental sources.

It warned that a tough approach from trading standards departments, as seen recently at Essex County Council, could potentially have dangerous consequences for consumers.

Meanwhile, a new awareness campaign designed to improve patients' understanding of the risks posed by uncertified tooth whitening operations has been launched by the General Dental Council.

A mother in the US has performed teeth whitening on her children as part of the TLC reality TV show Toddlers & Tiaras.

Hollywood Life blogger Chloe noted that the programme depicted mother Lori applying teeth whitening gels to her children's teeth in order to make them whiter ahead of a beauty pageant.

She wrote: "This may sounds a bit extreme but I don't think Lori bleaching her daughter Alaska, 9, and son Braxton's, 5, teeth is okay."

The reporter went on to note that she also made her children dye their eyebrows.

Meanwhile, a mother who gave her eight-year-old daughter Botox treatments ahead of a children's beauty pageant has said she is now beginning to understand that it is not acceptable.

After meeting with the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services, Sheena Upton admitted the error of her ways, but she will still be under investigation by the authority for the next six months.

Image-conscious residents in Southampton who have contemplated teeth whitening procedures could benefit from new plans by the local council.

According to Dentistry.co.uk, community members will receive fluoridated water through their taps following proposals from the South Central Strategic Health Authority.

The scheme, which will affect 200,000 people throughout Southampton, Totton, Netley and Rownhams, will be put into action in the upcoming months.

Despite the benefits fluoride provides for oral health, the plans were opposed by a number of residents, who were finally silenced by a High Court ruling.

Backed by members of the British Dental Association, the new initiative will also affect areas of south-west Hampshire.

Fluoride, which is contained in a number of toothpastes and mouthwashes, acts as protection for teeth by strengthening enamel and limiting the risk of decay.

In addition, the substance creates shallower grooves in children's teeth, which makes it much easier to remove potentially harmful plaque. 

People contemplating receiving teeth whitening procedures should seek treatment from a professional practitioner, experts have suggested.

According to the General Dental Council (GDC), undergoing the cosmetic process performed by an illegal or unqualified specialist could lead to health issues.

In its new publication Considering tooth whitening?, the organisation has issued an urgent warning to the public about the dangers of unregulated professionals.

The warning comes after research carried out by the GDC in 2010 revealed that 75 per cent of people believed illegal practitioners should be prosecuted.

Evlynne Gilvarry, chief executive of the organisation, said: "Tooth whitening undertaken by untrained and unregulated individuals carries significant risks and the only safe option is to consult a dentist or dental care professional."

Earlier this year the GDC outlined proposals to alter guidelines concerning the temporary registration of dentists, who carry out procedures in the UK under the supervision of qualified specialists for training, teaching or research.

Individuals thinking about receiving teeth whitening treatment to brighten their pearly whites could be encouraged to hear the results of a contest held by the British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF).

As part of its National Smile Month campaign, the organisation has revealed the winner of its Smile Factor competition, which aims to bring good news to individuals.

Recipient Phyllis Samuels was given a glamorous transformation as part of her prize, which she won following a tough childhood and battle with cancer.

Working alongside Dream Image North East, the BDHF aimed to put the smile back on the nation's face by telling Ms Samuels' inspiring story.

She said: "I had a phobia of the dentist and didn't feel comfortable going.

"Thanks to Dream Image North East, I'll have looks and a smile to be proud of."

The National Smile Month campaign, which ends today (June 15th), called for dental professionals and community groups to get involved with activities to increase awareness of the importance of good oral health. 

People considering teeth whitening treatment to improve the appearance of their smile could be interested in recent industry developments.

The British Dental Association (BDA) has called for an urgent meeting with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) to discuss attitudes to the procedure conveyed by trading standards officials.

News of the issue comes after Essex County Council limited the distribution of hydrogen peroxide-based products to dentists.

As a result of the restricted supply, experts from the BDA have voiced concern that members of the public may be tempted to seek treatment from unqualified practitioners.

Stuart Johnston, chair of the BDA's representative body, said: "A significant body of evidence demonstrates the safety of whitening products when used by trained dental professionals.

"We urge trading standards officers to adopt a pragmatic approach that recognises this."

This news comes after US dental professionals called for tougher regulations on whitening treatments in a bid to reduce the risk of damaging teeth, ABC News reports. 

Health-conscious patients hoping to avoid emergency dentistry should ensure they clean their teeth twice per day, experts have advised.

A new study conducted by the British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF) revealed that 49 per cent of the public are putting their oral health at risk by not cleaning their teeth.

Conducted as part of the National Smile Month campaign, researchers discovered that women are the most likely to flout hygiene guidelines, with 59 per cent regularly forgetting to carry out the act before going to bed.

In addition, one in ten respondents confessed to starting the day without thinking about oral hygiene, with one in ten skipping brushing altogether.

Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the BDHF, said: "Anyone who regularly skips brushing their teeth – morning or night-time – is storing up oral health problems for the future such as tooth decay and gum disease."

Dental professionals have been urged to get involved in National Smile Month with the aim of increasing awareness of the importance of oral hygiene in people of all ages.