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.

People contemplating improving their smiles with teeth whitening treatment should avoid visiting high street clinics, experts have suggested.

Addressing an increase in beauty salons and high street establishments offering the procedure, the General Dental Council (GDC) warned patients about the possibility of untrained practitioners.

Patients should seek professional treatment from an appropriately qualified practitioner to avoid the development of associated health risks, according to the GDC.

Dentist Graeme Tattersfield from Thornhill Dental Practice told the Dewsbury Reporter that members of the public should attend a reputable surgery when undergoing teeth whitening.

He said: "Even though whitening may appear a simple procedure, people need to ensure that the person is a trained dental professional."

This news comes after the GDC prosecuted a non-registered practitioner for performing teeth whitening procedures in Warrington.

Paul Hill was fined £6,765 after pleading guilty to four charges during an appearance at Westminster Magistrates Court.

People seeking teeth whitening services have been warned of the health risks associated with visiting providers who have not been given suitable training.

Angela Pierce, president of the SA Dental Association, said individuals who try to save money by not using a qualified dentist may suffer from teeth damage, the Herald Sun reports.

"We're seeing more and more people come in with more problems with industrial use of teeth bleachers," she remarked, adding that cheap prices will generally indicate that a "bargain basement service" is being provided.

Ms Pierce made the comments after Felecia Williams, a customer at a beauty treatment salon in Adelaide, said she felt "instant pain" when she was given a teeth whitening treatment by an untrained beautician and was left unable to brush her teeth for a month.

Spokesman for the British Dental Association Stuart Johnston recently told the Guardian that teeth whitening procedures need to be carried out by a dentist in order to guarantee safety.

Increasing numbers of Irish men are using Botox to get ahead in their professional careers, an expert has remarked.

Trained practitioners have noted a rise in the average age of people opting for the anti-wrinkle injection, the Irish Examiner reports.

Aisling Holly, managing director of cosmetic surgery firm The Hospital Group, noted an increased trend in people aged in their mid-30s undergoing the procedure.

Many male professionals are finding it difficult to progress in their careers with competition from younger candidates, Ms Holly remarked.

With the cosmetic surgery industry currently an unregulated market, experts have called for the introduction of tougher controls.

Ms Holly said: "We're aware of some quite dubious practices that can flourish in an unregulated environment as companies prioritise profits ahead of patient welfare."

People contemplating Botox treatment should ensure they are treated by a reputable and qualified practitioner to prevent any medical complications.

A dentist in Birmingham has been struck off the medical register after fitting dental veneers on children in order to make money.

Stuart Elliot Johnstone was found guilty of dishonestly carrying out treatment on young people between April 2005 and June 2007, Dentistry.co.uk reports.

The General Dental Council (GDC) heard that Mr Johnstone had carried out the cosmetic dentistry on 11 patients for financial gain, with one aged eight years old.

In some cases patients were given dental veneers despite decaying teeth, the court heard, with one woman's life being put at risk due to the development of an infection.

The GDC said [to the dentist]: "You were in a position of trust towards your patients and the public. You abused that trust.

"For all these reasons, the committee places this case high in the scale of dishonesty."

Dental veneers are a popular type of cosmetic dental treatment, during which a trained practitioner fits laminates to the front of existing teeth to improve a person's smile. 

Dental patients who are contemplating London teeth whitening could be interested to hear that dietary habits can have an impact on oral health, according to an expert.

Consumption of high levels of acid, which is found in energy drinks and wine, could cause erosion of the teeth's protective layer of enamel.

Professor Robin Seymour, a peridontologist and spokesperson for Dentyl Active, addressed a link between modern diets and an increase in dental health problems.

He stated that consuming food and drink containing high levels of acid "causes a chemical loss of minerals to the tooth enamel, causing it to erode".

However, eating some foods could prove to be beneficial to overall oral health, Professor Seymour remarked.

Diets containing antioxidants and omega-3 oils are found to offer protection to the gums from harmful bacterial plaque.

The importance of a healthy smile has been highlighted by the British Dental Health Foundation.

Results from a recent survey conducted by the organisation revealed that 56 per cent of respondents think a nice smile is the most attractive quality in a prospective partner.

Jane Fonda has admitted spending several thousand dollars on cosmetic dentistry as part of her bid to preserve her good looks.

The 73-year-old actress said in an interview with the Daily Mail that she paid $55,000 (£34,100) for a new set of teeth.

Fonda, who has won two Oscars during her screen career, suggested that having money is one of the secrets to looking good in old age.

"It was the teeth or a new car – and I opted for the teeth," she remarked, adding: "It costs a lot to look the way I do."

A healthy sex life has also helped, she remarked, but noted part of success is due to her genes, which she said "cost nothing".

Fonda recently showed off her cosmetic dentistry during the Cannes Film Festival, where she made an appearance to promote her new film Peace, Love & Misunderstanding, which is due out later this year.

People who are looking to undergo tooth whitening have been told to ensure they visit a fully-licensed practitioner.

This warning comes after the New Zealand Ministry of Health launched an investigation into unregistered firms that are carrying out the procedure down under, TV NZ reports.

The decision to look into the existence of bogus or "cowboy" companies comes after a woman suffered burning gums, which had also turned partially white, after she visited an unlicensed establishment.

However, the person in question escaped punishment because they were not official health professionals, which has led to increased calls for the industry to be more tightly regulated.

The country's Environmental Risk Authority has discussed the possibility of banning the use of hydrogen peroxide that is stronger than 3.6 per cent by unregistered practitioners.

Meanwhile, a dentist in Bristol has warned those who are seeking teeth whitening services to avoid bogus firms, after an apparent surge in the number of unknown companies offering discount rates in the UK.

Using floss on a regular basis can significantly cut the risk of developing gum diseases that may require emergency dentistry.

The Daily Mirror has suggested that making a habit of flossing after brushing teeth can lead to a number of health benefits.

Indeed, the publication noted that rooting out bacteria in between the teeth can not only prevent gum disease, but can also reduce a person's risk of having a stroke.

Micro-organisms that develop in unclean mouths may jam up arteries and eventually lead to heart attacks.

Brushing is unlikely to remove all of the plaque built up around the teeth, thus making it important to floss in order to avoid bad breath.

Recently, Dentistry IQ reported that utilising dental floss can also prevent lung disease, as germs can often reach the organ via the windpipe.

Once this happens, problems can escalate as the lungs provide a warm environment for bacteria to grow.

Good oral health maintained by flossing may reduce the likelihood of undergoing emergency dentistry and limit the chances of a stroke, new research has suggested.

Japanese researchers have found that the possibility of having a stroke is linked to tooth loss occurring as a result of poor dental hygiene.

The study, conducted at Hiroshima University and reported on the Cosmetic Dentistry Guide website, found that people with less than 24 of their own teeth were faced with a 60 per cent higher chance of suffering from a stroke than those who had more natural teeth.

According to the website, a number of serious illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease can be linked to dental health and people with unhealthy teeth and gums are also at greater risk of requiring emergency dental procedures.

Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the British Dental Foundation, also attributes a healthy diet to better dental hygiene.

He said: "A diet rich in vitamins, minerals and fresh produce can help to prevent gum disease, a disease which can in turn, pose more significant risks to your overall health."