ROSIE GREEN: Want to brighten your smile? From invisible straighteners to at-home whiteners, the latest treatments and innovations really are worth getting your teeth into

Such is my dedication to achieving pearly whites that on a photo shoot recently the photographer had to make my teeth yellower in post-production. Really.

Why am I obsessed? Because of all the beautification projects I have undertaken, getting my teeth sorted yielded the most long-term satisfaction. 

Whereas most tweakments come with a downside, aka looking a bit freaky, improving your grin is an all-natural route to looking prettier, younger and healthier. (As long as you don’t go down the Katie Price-style ‘Turkey teeth’ veneers option, that is.)

If you need further convincing, new research by Hismile found 63 per cent of us say a smile is the first thing we notice when meeting someone new.

Many people are put off improving their smile by concerns about expense, time or fear of the dentist. But advancements in this category mean there is a range of products and techniques for all budgets and commitment levels.

Many people are put off improving their smile by concerns about expense, time or fear of the dentist

For my smile? I had lingual braces (where the braces are fixed on the inside of the teeth) over a decade ago with Dr Asif Chatoo at The London Lingual Orthodontic Clinic (londonlingualbraces.com). 

To keep them white (as I said, I like them just the right side of blinding) I had trays created from a mould of my teeth and then every year or so I use them in conjunction with a hydrogen peroxide solution (the Philips Zoom system). 

I also ask my hygienist for a ‘pressure wash’ clean (see below right) during appointments. Interested? Here are the innovations you need to know about…

Instant whitening toothpaste

Hismile V34 Colour Corrector Serum (see below) is a bright purple product that works to cancel out yellow undertones. It’s a little gimmicky but delivers a temporary effect that’ll last a few hours.

At-home whitener 

Colgate Max White Ultimate LED Whitening Kit (£100, amazon.co.uk) contains a whitening pen with a smartphone-powered LED whitening light.

Whitening gel 

Spotlight Oral Care Teeth Whitening Accelerator Gel (£29.95, uk.spotlightoralcare.com) boasts the new whitening ingredient PAP, which has a brightening effect on the teeth.

Invisible braces 

Invisalign (from around £2,000, invisalign.co.uk), where a series of see-through moulds are used to slowly move the teeth, is a credible alternative to traditional braces. My teenage daughter had her smile sorted at parklaneorthodontics.co.uk without enduring a mouth full of metal.

Teeth contouring 

If braces are too time-consuming or expensive for you, consider this technique, which costs from £495. Dentist Dr Sahil Patel at Marylebone Smile Clinic explains the treatment is about reshaping your teeth (by carefully shaving them down) to create a more symmetrical look. It’s essential you go to a credible dentist as it’s not reversible. The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (bacd.com) is a good place to start your research.

Power washing 

The traditional scale and polish will only remove so much, so hygienists now offer high-pressure air cleaning (often called airflow or air polishing) to get rid of coffee, tea and cigarette stains.

My pearly perfecter kit

Parla Mouthwash Tabs, from £6.95, parlatoothpastetabs.com

Parla Mouthwash Tabs, from £6.95, parlatoothpastetabs.com

Waken Sonic Toothbrush, £39, wakencare.com 

Waken Sonic Toothbrush, £39, wakencare.com

 Dr Uchenna My Smile Whitening Pen, £23.99, druchennasmysmile.com

Hismile V34 Colour Corrector Serum, £18.99, superdrug.com

Dr Uchenna My Smile Whitening Pen, £23.99, druchennasmysmile.com

Gem Breath Spray Crisp Mint, £8, boots.com

Keep the holiday glow

Sun-kissed skin Westman Atelier Liquid Super Loaded Illuminator, £53, cultbeauty.co.uk. Use as a highlighter or mix with your base for a grown-up glow 

Westman Atelier Liquid Super Loaded Illuminator, £53, cultbeauty.co.uk. Use as a highlighter or mix with your base for a grown-up glow

Balmy lips 3 Ina The Color Lip Glow, £16, superdrug.com. An ultra-hydrating balm/lipstick that adds a juicy hit of sheer colour 

3 Ina The Color Lip Glow, £16, superdrug.com. An ultra-hydrating balm/lipstick that adds a juicy hit of sheer colour

Fresh face Elemis Pro-Collagen Glow Boost Exfoliator, £55, uk.elemis.com. This gorgeous-smelling scrub combines eco-friendly cellulose beads with elderberry oils to deliver next-level radiance. 

Elemis Pro-Collagen Glow Boost Exfoliator, £55, uk.elemis.com. This gorgeous-smelling scrub combines eco-friendly cellulose beads with elderberry oils to deliver next-level radiance

Under £10

Stick-on nails might sound like teenager territory, but my chic friend swears by them for a decent-looking mani in minutes. £3.75, holygrailnail.co.uk

Stick-on nails might sound like teenager territory, but my chic friend swears by them for a decent-looking mani in minutes. £3.75, holygrailnail.co.uk