Of course, having a confident smile makes people more approachable but those worried about the way their teeth look often prevents themselves from smiling. Discolouration may have occurred due to an accumulation of stains caused by coffee, tea, soft drinks, wine or tobacco. However, with a little cosmetic treatment those yellowed teeth can be transformed into a gleaming Hollywood smile, and restore that lost confidence.

Treatments that bleach discoloured enamel can be gradually applied over a number of days at home or performed in specialist dental clinics in less than an hour. The method chosen usually depends upon the individual and their preferred method.

Some dental clinics offer home-based teeth whitening. This involves a trip to a specialist dental clinic where a consultant dentist will assess whether you will be able to undertake the home treatment method. If suitable, moulds are taken which are used to produce soft vinyl rubber trays of your upper and lower teeth.

Because they are tailored trays they will fit your mouth in the exact same way as a sporting gum shield. That is important because once the whitening gel is introduced into the trays it will be in close contact with your teeth enamel allowing a consistent coating all over; whereas off-the-shelf trays can produce inconsistent results. After being started by the dentist at the clinic, the rest of the treatment is applied by you at home over eight days - lasting around 90 minutes per session.

For some, taking an hour to 90 minutes each day - for a week - is simply too much hassle, so they prefer to look into immediate teeth whitening. That type of treatment can be performed in less than an hour at a specialist dental clinic and can whiten teeth by up to 10 shades; unlike home whitening which is gradually applied over a number of days. So, for those that are very busy or simply do not fancy taking such a chunk of time out of their daily routine to insert trays and gels, instant whitening in the clinic can prove ideal.

Unlike home whitening - where trays are used - instant teeth whitening usually involves a short preparation to cover the gums and lips; ensuring that only your teeth are exposed. Then a gel with an active ingredient of hydrogen peroxide is applied to the enamel; the whitening begins once the gel has then activated by turning on a special lamp used in such dental procedures. In less than an hour the teeth will be whitened to the shade agreed with your dentist before the treatment began.

Whether by using an extended home treatment or a quick visit to a specialist clinic, it is possible for your teeth to be whitened to produce a Hollywood smile; the choice is yours!