James Argent met with a cosmetic dentist in an episode of the show last week. They discussed what cosmetic dentistry involved and what a procedure could do for his appearance and confidence.

Arg, as he is known on the show, looks set to follow other members of the cast who have undergone an array of cosmetic dentistry procedures, including Chloe Sims who recently had veneers.

Arg later took to his Twitter account, tweeting “Do I need my teeth done guys? I think so!” and “How White should I go, Brentwood or Hollywood? Lol. Who thinks gaps in teeth are sexy? I’m so confused, big decisions!”

If a new and improved teeth could help you smile, The Hospital Group offers a range of cosmetic dentistry procedures.

The flame-haired Girls Aloud star spent a reported £13,000 on veneers earlier this year to improve her confidence ahead of launching her solo career. She doesn’t see anything wrong with her new look, after feeling self conscious about her smile for years.

She told The Review magazine recently: “I always just wanted a nice smile, and I was very conscious of it all the time. Everyone gets it done, so I did, and I’m happy.”

Bandmate Cheryl Cole had veneers several years ago and reportedly recommended them to Nicola, whose debut solo album was released in September.

To find out more about achieving a perfect smile like Nicola’s, see The Hospital Group’s range of cosmetic dentistry, including our unique NuSmile veneers, invisible braces and teeth whitening.

Although the braces are invisible in use, she’s making no secret of her decision to have orthodontics as she posted a photo of her braces on her Twitter page with the comment:“‘Brace yourselves, I’ve got braces… eek!”

When one fan asked her how long she would be keeping the braces on for, Holly tweeted back: “Two months hopefully.”

Holly’s announcement follows Chris Evans, who posted a picture of his braces on Facebook earlier this year; and Nicola Roberts who admitted on Radio 1 that she’d had invisible braces to straighten her smile, saying:  “I wanted it done for ages.” 

The Hospital Group is one of the UK’s leading cosmetic dentistry providers with state of the art clincs in key cities around the UK.  The company offers invisible braces as well as veneers and whitening.

A spokesperson for the company said: “In the last 3 months (March-May) enquiries for invisible braces have nearly doubled, actually increasing by 96%. 

With celebrities such as Holly and Chris going public about the treatment, many more people are becoming aware of the benefits of invisible braces. 

They are truly invisible in use apart from on very close inspection, yet easily removable for eating, drinking or a night out.  They are also surprisingly quick.  Initial esults can be seen in just 2 weeks, though minimum treatment programmes are normally 3-6 months long. 

It is important to note that the benefits are not just aesthetic.  Straighter teeth are also much better for dental health, being easier to clean and less at risk of gum disease. 

For adults who are not happy with their smile, it’s never too late to have your teeth straightened.“

Despite criticism from Simon Cowell during the process, John and Edward Grimes, better known as Jedward, are one of the X Factor’s most enduring success stories. 

With ambitions to take America by storm, the twins are already preparing to get their teeth done before they go. 

“We’re going to get, like, fake teeth or something. We’re going to get white veneers done to make ourselves look really Hollywood,” John said. 

“We don’t need them but we feel that when you have crooked teeth it makes you look younger and we don’t act like 19-year-olds, we act a lot younger.” 

Teeth veneers have become synonymous with celebrity, enabling dentally-challenged pop stars and actors to achieve perfect straight white smiles. 

However, cosmetic dentistry specialists The Hospital Group are keen to challenge the misconception that having veneers fitted is an uncomfortable experience. 

A spokesperson for the Group said: “Many people still assume that having veneers fitted is a painful and uncomfortable experience.  Traditional veneers can be painful as they demand grinding the teeth down to stumps before fitting veneers over the top.  

However, at The Hospital Group, we specialise in paper-thin porcelain veneers, which can be fitted with much less disturbance than traditional veneers.  There is no grinding or drilling involved and no injections.   

Although they are incredibly thin, they are really strong and being tailor-made, they can be used to cover up misaligned, cracked or rotated teeth for a straight, white smile.   

They are available in a variety of shades of white too, so we can help patients choose a suitable shade.” 

The Hospital Group offers cosmetic dentistry in highly-equipped clinics across the UK.  As well as thin veneers, the company also offer invisible braces, crowns and teeth whitening as well as a full range of dentistry work to ensure good dental health as well as good looking teeth.

Dentists fear that the trading standards investigation in Essex may be counter-productive, pushing people seeking teeth whitening to less qualified and less reputable outlets, which could pose a risk to the health and structure of their teeth.

The British Dental Association was keen to remind the public that professional teeth whitening is safe and effective: “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 and puts patient safety first.”

The European Union review of the EU Cosmetics Directive is also underway and it is hoped that this will provide a coherent legal framework for tooth whitening products in the UK.

In the meantime, patients seeking tooth whitening are encouraged to use a professional tooth whitening with a fully qualified dentist, as the British Dental Bleaching Society (BDBS) maintains that tooth whitening is safe when carried out by an ‘appropriately trained and qualified dental healthcare professional’.  The BDBS suggests the following guildelines:

• Patients should receive a full dental examination before any bleaching procedure 
• Patients must have alternatives and risks thoroughly explained before proceding with treatment
• ‘Before’ and ‘after’ photos must be taken
• Any products supplied for home use must meet Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP) guidelines and contain no more than 6% Hydrogen Peroxide
• There should be a commitment by the trade not to supply beauticians or the public direct

The Hospital Group offer teeth whitening and a range of cosmetic dentistry procedures in highly equipped clinics across the UK.  A spokesperson commented “We select expert cosmetic dentists who are fully qualified and have chosen to specialise in cosmetic dentistry treatments.  We have been concerned to see the growth of non-professional tooth whitening treatments in the UK and we fully endorse the drive to increase standards and guidelines in the market.“

As well as professional teeth whitening, The Hospital Group offers veneers, invisible braces and a whole host of other dental treatments from root canal to crowns so that patients can be assured of good dental health as well as a beautiful smile.

It is widely understood nowadays that most celebrities have had cosmetic dentistry work, whether it’s veneers, whitening or straightening.

However, there can be little hiding from the truth for former supermodel and “I’m a Celebrity Get me Out of Here” contestant Janice Dickinson, who lost her teeth while eating at a restaurant.

Reportedly, Janice was so enjoying her conversation that she removed her teeth. She explained, “I was so excited talking to my friend that I put my teeth in my napkin, and then I couldn’t find them!”

After involving the staff in a very unsubtle search, the teeth were eventually found, to Janice’s great relief - “These things are so expensive they could feed a small village.”

The Hospital Group offer cosmetic dentistry to people of all walks of life in the UK.  A spokesperson said: “C osmetic dentistry has come a long way and our expert cosmetic dentists are experts in the field, employing the latest techniques and equipment.

Rather than removable bridges and false teeth, we tend to fit veneers which do not need to be removed at all.  Our unique pain-free veneers are custom-made to fit over the teeth; correcting the appearance of teeth which are chipped , cracked, misshapen, misaligned, rotated and discoloured.

No injections are required and the teeth require no grinding down, which leaves the structure of the tooth intact and avoids the pain and discomfort associated with traditional veneers.

We don’t know what Janice Dickinson paid for her false teeth, but the cost of veneers is surprisingly affordable too at £495 per upper tooth and £395 per lower.  A common treatment choice is to have 4 or 8 upper veneers with lower whitening to complete the look.”

The Hospital Group offer cosmetic dentistry in a network of purpose-fitted cosmetic dentistry clinics.  A consultation, which may include x-rays, impression and smile consultation as well as an individual treatment plan, is currently just £25 (normal price £149).

Halitosis, or bad breath, is extremely common.  It is estimated that up to half the population suffer with persistent bad breath.

Most people have short periods of bad breath at some point, but most would agree it is unpleasant, causing them to be self-conscious and even withdrawn to a certain degree.

The most common cause of halitosis is dental care.  In the majority of short term cases of bad breath, it is caused by the decay of small pieces of food in the mouth, which bacteria in the saliva break down.   However, if bad breath is persistent, it could also be a sign of gum disease or tooth decay.

Good oral health is important not only to take care of the teeth, but also the gums and whole mouth.  Bad breath can be minimised by regular tooth brushing and visits to the dentist.

• Brush teeth thoroughly for 2 minutes, twice a day
• Use fluoride toothpaste.
• Floss your teeth too as brushing only cleans about 60% of tooth surface
• Brush your tongue as well as your teeth and gums (or use a tongue cleaner)
• Use an antiseptic mouthwash at night after brushing 
• Visit your dentist every 6 months or as often as recommended

A few other everyday tips to improve your breath include:

• Avoid strong foods like onions and garlic
• Quit smoking 
• Reduce consumption of alcohol
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet
• Cut down sugary food and drink – these encourage the bacteria in your mouth
• Drink plenty of fluids – water is perfect!
• Cut down on coffee
• Chew sugar-free gum after eating or if your mouth feels dry.

Occasionally, bad breath is the result of an infection or illness or medication so see a GP if you have any concerns.

The Hospital Group specialise in Cosmetic Dentistry in the UK, with state-of-the art technology in well-equipped centres.

A spokesperson for The Hospital Group said “Many of our patients are seeking cosmetic dentistry work for a better smile after years of neglect.  We see a number of patients who have not seen a dentist for years and have not brushed regularly or correctly.  As a result they come with a number of dental issues, which can include bad breath, as well as unattractive looking teeth. 

However, a healthy white smile and fresher breath can still be achieved.  Our top treatments are teeth veneers, professional teeth whitening and invisible braces, but we offer a full range of dental treatments in order to deliver a great result.

After treatment, patients are highly motivated to continue good dental care habits to maintain the results for the future.”

The Hospital Group offers cosmetic dentistry consultations and treatments with specialist cosmetic dentists in clinics around the country.  They have invested heavily in state-of-the-art technology and techniques to put patients at ease and deliver results to make them smile.

White teeth are a highly attractive feature and more people than ever are exploring the potential of professional tooth whitening to achieve the best possible results.

But what sort of colour is possible and what is desirable?

Teeth colour is classified using the “Vita shade guide”, which divides natural tooth colour into 16 shades, including tones ranging from ivory white through cream and also including yellow, red and grey tones for the most discoloured teeth. 

Usually your front teeth tend to be whiter than the molars, with the back teeth having an even darker natural colour.  Good professional tooth whitening will treat all the teeth to give the most natural result.

Of course,  you expect to see dramatic results from any tooth whitening procedure and should expect your teeth to be at least a couple of shades whiter.  The final result depends on the individual’s tooth structure and the type of procedure being used.

Those nervous about the artificial-looking “super-white” teeth sported by certain celebrities should be reassured that they have generally been achieved through veneers rather than tooth whitening.  Tooth whitening still works with the natural teeth.  The objective is to achieve the best possible whiteness while still looking natural. 

Patients considering tooth whitening should seek a consultation with an expert Cosmetic Dentist and should be given clear expectations about what sort of result can be achieved.  

The Hospital Group are at the cutting edge of Cosmetic Dentistry and offer tooth whitening in state of the art clinics with specialist Cosmetic Dentists.

A spokesperson explained: “Teeth whitening is certainly growing in popularity – at The Hospital Group, we saw a 59% increase in patients wanting teeth whitening in the first quarter of this year.

At The Hospital Group, we offer both professional chairside whitening and home whitening in our specially equipped Cosmetic Dentistry Suites. 

It is a tailor-made procedure carried out by our team of carefully chosen, experienced and skilled Cosmetic Dentists.  We have a full range of dental treatments available to help our patients achieve smiles they would not have believed possible, including invisible braces, pain-free veneers and dental implants.”

The Hospital Group are currently offering a Cosmetic Dentistry consultation for £25, normal price is £149.  This includes (as required) impressions, x-rays, full oral health check and a smile-makeover consultation with a specialist Cosmetic Dentist.

The survey discovered that patients were put off the dentists primarily due to the cost of check ups and treatment.  Dental phobia also plays a part.  1 in 5 admitted that they were still scared of the dentist.

In addition, many patients did not fully understand the full importance of regular dental check-ups – 3 out of 4 people were not aware that the dentist could spot signs of oral cancer.

However, avoiding the dentist does have a consequence.  1 in 10 were avoiding the dentist simply because they were so embarrassed about the poor condition of their teeth.

A spokesperson from leading Cosmetic Surgery provider The Hospital Group said: “At The Hospital Group, our Cosmetic Dentists do see a lot of patients who have neglected their teeth. 

“As well as providing transformational treatments such as veneers and whitening, we also find that many patients need more “structural” work first to ensure strong, healthy teeth.  Our dentists are specialists in cosmetic dentistry and understand what look our patients want cosmetically, but they are also skilled in all aspects of dental work from fillings to implants and crowns to ensure that our patients’ oral health is paramount.

“At The Hospital Group, we do understand that most people would not rate a visit to the dentist as a pleasurable experience and some have a genuine phobia.  To put patients at ease, we have invested in state-of-the-art cosmetic dentistry facilities and our team understands the importance of a calm and friendly approach. 

“Even if you have delayed in dental treatment for years, it is never too late to get the smile you always wanted.”

The Hospital Group offers a full range of cosmetic dentistry procedures including invisible braces (Invisalign), veneers and teeth whitening.  They also offer more major dental work, such as dental implants, porcelain crowns and bridges or root canal treatment, to treat the complete range of dental requirements.  A cosmetic dentistry consultation is currently £25 and includes a detailed Individual Treatment Plan.

Previously known as National Smile Week, the campaign is now entering its 35th year and has been extended so that it now runs for a whole month.  This year it starts on 15th May. 

1. Awareness of the importance of dental care for your smile, teeth and general health
2. Regular dental checkups – these should be twice a year or as recommended by your dentist
3. Daily oral health-care routine