It is fairly common knowledge that X-Factor judge Simon Cowell is quite fond of his own appearance, he even talks openly about getting cosmetic help from Botox to improve his aging complexion, so it came as a surprise to the media that the 53-year-old showed up to the X-Factor semi-final sporting a bloated, out-of-shape face that looked anything but youthful. Journalists and online bloggers were quick to point out the difference and suggest that Simon has tucked into his Christmas treats a little bit earlier this year.

The talent moguls new appearance didn’t seem to bother X-Factor guest Carmen Electra though as the two were photographed looking very friendly at the start of the night – the pair have also set tongues wagging in the past when they were seen out on a date in Los Angeles after meeting on the set of Cowells other TV show Britain’s Got Talent, when Carmen stepped in as a guest judge.

According to The Sun, Carmen was soon singing Simon’s praises, saying ‘He’s so cute. He’s adorable, he’s actually a sweetheart. I really like him, I think he’s very cool.’ Fellow TV judge LA Reid even tweeted ‘Didn’t mean to, but got in the middle of @SimonCowell and @carmenelectra #LoveBirds.’ Suggesting that the pair are more than friends.

Singer and X Factor judge Cheryl Cole reportedly wears Invisalign braces at night to keep her dazzling teeth straight.

A source close to the Girls Aloud star revealed that she has been wearing the invisible braces at night to keep her teeth straight as she nervously awaits the news about whether she will be a judge on the American version of the TV talent show.

The Daily Star also reported that Cole will receive more teeth whitening treatments upon her return to Los Angeles in a bid to perfect her smile for her rumoured new job.

After admitting to wearing invisible braces in the past, the 27-year-old style icon has undergone a number of cosmetic dental procedures to give her a dazzling Hollywood smile.

The Daily Express revealed that Cole has the most requested smile in the country, with cosmetic dentists regularly performing procedures to create a similar pearly-white and glamorous look. 

Healthcare professionals have praised the recent Bruxism Awareness Week and its potential to reduce the amount of emergency dentistry necessitated by the condition.

The event was held from October 25th to 31st 2010 and provided information to people all over the UK about the problems caused by excessive teeth grinding, including jaw disorders, headaches, earache and sleep loss, Dentistry.co.uk reports.

Organised by dental splints provider S4S, the week also advised people about what they could do to get help if they suffer from bruxism.

Clinicians told the news provider that the awareness week brought the troubling condition into the spotlight and provided useful information for patients and professionals.

A Facebook group started up to coincide with the event now has more than 100 members.

It was recently revealed that Katie Price suffers from bruxism, as she travelled to Los Angeles to have the damage caused to her dental veneers by grinding repaired.
  

Parents of youngsters have again been advised to exercise caution this Halloween in order to avoid their children needing emergency dentistry.

Dr Nigel Carter, the chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, said that although it is exciting for kids to return home from trick or treating laden with bags of sweets, they need to be aware of the risk of decay.

He recommended allowing them to eat the sugary snacks for a short period of time before putting them away again until the next day.

This is because saliva is more capable of neutralising acids after only a short attack, Dr Cater explained.

Meanwhile, really sticky sweets like toffee should be avoided, as it clings to the enamel and has more chance of causing decay.

"A good dental cleaning routine with fluoride toothpaste will help protect the teeth against conditions such as tooth decay and gum disease," Dr Carter concluded.

Earlier this month, Dr Gilbert Snow from Los Angeles told UPI.com he sometimes has a ten to 20 per cent increase in emergency dentistry after Halloween because of all the sweets.
 

Simple precautions like carrying a bottle of water around when trick or treating could help to prevent children from needing emergency dentistry after Halloween.

According to AllVoices.com, sweets that are acidic such as Starburst can really damage the teeth and could cause problems with corrosion.

However, rinsing the mouth with water after each sweet and brushing their teeth as soon as they get in with their Halloween booty could reduce the likelihood of little ones needing to seek emergency dentistry a few weeks later.

“With a few precautions there is no need for Halloween to turn into a dental nightmare,” the article concluded.

This follows a similar warning from Dr Gilbert Snow of Los Angeles, who told UPI.com that parents should up the ante with brushing and flossing for their offspring when they know they will be eating a lot of sweets.

He said he often sees corrosion as well as things like chipped teeth after each October 31st.

Katy Perry may go for teeth whitening ahead of her forthcoming wedding, if recent suggestions are anything to go by.

The California Gurls singer said in a question and answer session for YouTube that she has always been envious of Britney Spears’ pearly whites since she saw them on TV as an aspiring pop star.

“I brush my teeth all the time. I wanted them to be, like, Britney Spears white,” she revealed, according to MTV News.

Perry joked she used to think perhaps Spears had a new set of teeth for all her public appearances, as they were always so white.

With reports rife that Perry is set to marry Russell Brand next month, she may go for some teeth whitening to rival her idol for gleaming gnashers.

Earlier this month, it was widely suggested that Kelly Brook might have had tooth whitening treatment after she was spotted in Los Angeles with a dazzling smile.
 

Dental implants could be the best option for individuals who have lost a tooth to ensure they maintain an aesthetically pleasing smile, it has been claimed.

AZ Dental Care reported dental implants offer the best course of action for teeth replacement procedures, as the implant replaces a tooth’s root, securing the new tooth in place and adding volume to the mouth.

"Replacing the tooth’s root fills the gap between your natural teeth in the jaw to prevent the jawbone from collapsing, the gums from shrinking and the neighbouring teeth from shifting," the company noted.

It added that replacing missing teeth can not only help to boost a person’s confidence, but could also improve their health.

Elsewhere, Los Angeles dentist Dr Neda Naim recently noted that dental implants can be a long-lasting and more aesthetically pleasing solution for individuals who lose their teeth than dentures.

Dr Naim claimed the treatment can last a lifetime and give a more realistic end result.

Anyone who has had oral health problems in the past and has lost teeth as a result could find that dental implants are the perfect solution for their problems, it has been claimed.

Los Angeles dentist Dr Neda Naim has argued that while it can be more painful and take longer to fit dental implants, the treatment can last a lifetime and give a more realistic end result.

Dr Naim commented: "Dental implants are truly a complete dental solution when it comes to restoring a natural looking, natural feeling mouth."

He added that in many cases, dental implants mimic the feel of real teeth so closely that many patients forget that have implants at all.

Elsewhere, research reported in the study Dental Implants Market: Increasing Familiarity to Drive Growth recently forecast that the global dental implant market is likely to have doubled by 2015.

It claimed that the durability and improved functionality of dental implants mean that more people rare likely to turn to the treatment instead of having bridges or dentures fitted.

Dentists in Los Angeles are combining eastern and western medicines to supply their patients with winning smiles, it has been revealed.

Shahab Akhavan, an LA dentist, noted one of the best things about the combination of these two cultures is the fact that modern western equipment can be used in conjuncture with eastern traditional medicines to reduce pain and help people feel at ease over a procedure.

"The interests many patients have in natural methods were clearly understood by LA dentists … [they] combine breakthrough science with technological advancements, proper nutrition, vitamin complementation, exercise, co-enzymes and relaxation," Dr Akhavan commented.

Professor TP Chaturvedi, senior doctor of the Faculty of Dental Sciences at Banaras Hindu University, recently noted 30 per cent of all trips to the emergency dentist could be avoided if patients went for regular check-ups.

He added that with daily cleaning, treatments like teeth whitening and clear braces could be avoided.

Cosmetic dentistry should leave give the individual with a bespoke smile, it has been suggested.

This is the view of Dr Luthra who owns a practice in Hampton.

He explained the importance of a good set of gnashers should not be underestimated.

Not only can it boost people’s confidence, it could even help people find a job or get promoted, Dr Luthra asserted.

He noted teeth, gums, lips and bone structure all contribute towards having a dazzling grin, adding each person’s should be bespoke to them.

Dr Luthra said: "It’s important that the teeth suit the individual and look natural.

"It should enhance the overall appearance, but not dominate such that you don’t notice anything else."

Meanwhile, people who are searching for a professional to carry out a procedure such as teeth whitening or dental veneers in London might like to take note of the following advice.

Dr Sam Muslin from Los Angeles suggested people look at photographs of a cosmetic dentist’s previous work before opting to go with them.