My dedication to achieving pearly whites is such that during a recent shoot, the photographer had to yellow my teeth in post-production. Really.

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My pearly perfecting kit Keep the Holiday Sparkle Under £10

Why am I obsessed? Because of all the beautification projects I have undertaken, getting my teeth sorted has given the greatest long term satisfaction.

While most tweaks have a downside, which is looking a little weird, improving your smile is a completely natural route to looking prettier, younger, and healthier. healthy. (As long as you don’t choose the Katie Price-style “turkey teeth” veneers option, that is.)

If you need further convincing, a new study by Hismile has found that 63% of us say a smile is the first thing we notice when we meet someone new.

Many people are reluctant to improve their smile for the sake of expense, time or fear of the dentist. But advancements in this category mean there is a range of products and techniques for every budget and every level of commitment.

Many people are discouraged from 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 inside the teeth) over a decade ago with Dr Asif Chatoo of the London Lingual Orthodontic Clinic (londonlingualbraces.com).

To keep them white (like I said I just like them on the bright side of blindness) I had trays created from a mold 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” cleaning (see below right) during appointments. Interested? Here are the innovations to know…

instant whitening toothpaste

Hismile V34 Color Corrector Serum (see below) is a bright purple product that works to undo yellow undertones. It’s a bit gimmicky but offers a temporary effect that will last for a few hours.

Home whitening

The 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) contains the new whitening ingredient PAP, which has a brightening effect on the teeth.

Invisible straps

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

Tooth outline

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

Pressure washing

Traditional limescale and polishing will remove little, which is why hygienists are now offering high pressure air cleaning (often called airflow or air polishing) to get rid of stains. of coffee, tea and cigarettes.

My pearly perfecting kit

Parla Mouthwash Tabs, from £6.95, parlatoothpastetabs.com

Waken Sonic Toothbrush, £39, wakencare.com

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

Hismile V34 Color Correcting Serum, £18.99, superdrug.com

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

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

‘I honestly think I missed the facelift. The old-fashioned good one you have when you’re 44’ Sarah Jessica Parker, 58

Keep the Holiday Sparkle

Tanned skin Westman Atelier Super Charged Liquid Highlighter, £53, cultbeauty.co.uk. Use it as a highlighter or mix it with your base for a grown-up glow

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

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

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

fresh face Elemis Pro-Collagen Glow Boost Scrub, £55, uk.elemis.com. This beautifully scented scrub combines eco-friendly cellulose pearls with elderberry oils to deliver a superior glow.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Glow Boost Scrub, £55, uk.elemis.com. This gorgeous-smelling scrub combines eco-friendly cellulose beads with elderberry oils to deliver a superior glow.

Under £10

Glue-on nails might seem like teenage territory, but my chic friend swears by them for a decent manicure in minutes. £3.75, Holygrailnail.co.uk