With £350M a year being spent on dentistry in the UK alone, requests for braces on the increase and Simon Cowell thanking his dentist at the National TV Awards, looking after one's smile is not something to begrudge anymore, but something that should be part of our health and beauty routine. I've caught up with cosmetic dentist Farid Monibi to get some advice on how to get the best out of our pearly whites.

HAVE YOU NOTICED AN INCREASE IN COSMETIC PROCEDURES IN THE LAST FEW YEARS?

Yes, we are providing more tooth whitening and minimal interventional aesthetic improvements such as veneers and all ceramic (metal free) crowns.

WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS?

I think people are becoming much more conscious of the benefits of a beautiful smile. This may be due to the influence of media, and programmes such as 10 Years Younger and makeover shows.

WHAT ARE THE MOST POPULAR DENTAL COSMETIC PROCEDURES AT THE MOMENT?

Replacing metal fillings with natural colour ones and improving the general appearance of the teeth with durable aesthetic restorations.

WHY DO YOU THINK EVERYBODY WANTS THE WHITEST TEETH THESE DAYS AND DO YOU THINK WHITE TEETH EQUAL HEALTHY TEETH?

Luckily in my practice people do not ask for super white teeth and often aim for the brighter side of the natural spectrum for tooth colour.

WHY DO YOU THINK BRITS ARE OFTEN MOCKED FOR HAVING BAD TEETH?

I don't think they have and it is a cruel generalization.

DO YOU THINK BRITISH PEOPLE ARE TAKING BETTER CARE OF THEIR TEETH?

Generally speaking, yes. There has been a great improvement in oral health care and awareness.

WHAT DO PEOPLE DON'T DO OR DO WRONG WHEN THEY LOOK AFTER THEIR TEETH?

The basic skills required in maintaining a healthy mouth have not changed for a long time. People tend to neglect their teeth, because they can be quite high maintenance and the rewards are not as immediate as for example styling your hair.

The main shortcomings tend to be missing certain parts of the mouth when brushing, and particularly not cleaning between the teeth with floss or tiny inter-dental brushes. Not seeing your dentist regularly enough can also lead to problems – the sooner a cavity is detected the more minimal the treatment to deal with it is likely to be. Regular preventive sessions with you hygienist will help you keep your mouth healthy as well as keeping your teeth stain-free and shiny.

CAN ANYBODY HAVE TEETH WHITENING AND SMALLER COSMETIC PROCEDURES OR SHOULD CERTAIN PEOPLE AVOID IT, FOR EXAMPLE BECAUSE THEIR TEETH ARE WEAK OR BECAUSE OF THE PATIENT'S AGE?

It depends on the individual. Generally speaking cosmetic procedures are for adults, but children and young people can often have minor non-invasive treatment. Natural, colour adhesive material can be added to restore broken teeth or ones which have that are mal-formed. This can dramatically improve a child's self esteem.

Before starting whitening treatments the teeth need to be carefully checked for cavities, and the gums should be healthy. No one is too old to have beautiful teeth!

WE HEAR SO MANY OLD WIVES TALES ON HOW TO NATURALLY WHITEN ONE'S TEETH. ARE THERE ANY NATURAL METHODS TO KEEP TEETH SHINING AND GETTING RID OF STAINS?

Best practice is to brighten your teeth under the supervision and instruction of a qualified dentist, who can advise you what the safest most convenient way to brighten your teeth is.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE THE KEY ELEMENTS TO KEEP TEETH HEALTHY AND LOOKING GOOD?

Brushing, daily flossing and seeing the dentist and hygienist regularly are the absolute basic requirements.

In order to improve the colour of your teeth the least invasive way is a course of home tooth brightening. This is usually effective over a period of 1 – 2 weeks. There are many products out there that work to varying degrees. We recommend a particular regime that has been developed by Enlighten Dental Laboratories, which tends to give us good results with minimum discomfort and sensitivity.

ARE THERE KEY FOODS AND FACTORS (I.E. SMOKING) THAT ONE SHOULD AVOID TO KEEP TEETH HEALTHY AND BEAUTIFUL?

Heavy consumption of all coloured foods can stain teeth, particularly tea, coffee and red wine and also some spices used in oriental cooking.

WHY IS DENTISTRY SO EXPENSIVE? DO YOU THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY PEOPLE AVOID VISITING THE DENTIST THE RECOMMENDED ONCE EVERY SIX MONTHS?

I don't think dentistry in this country expensive at all. Essential treatment is usually inexpensive, particularly on the NHS.

For cosmetic dental treatment you should compare the cost to other discretionary expenditure. We all spend money on many short lived pleasures such as hairdressing, entertainment, clothes, holidays etc., and the enjoyment is soon over. Cosmetic dentistry gives life-changing and long lasting benefits – every time we look in the mirror, you see the value of your money right there in front of you.

Dr Farid Monibi is a cosmetic dentist at 76 Harley St. His areas of expertise are dental implantology and minimal intervention cosmetic and reconstructive dentistry. For further info visit: www.76harleystreet.com

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