Tooth whitening is no longer a painful ordeal and the resultant 'Hollywood' smile is certainly worth paying for, says Jenny Colgan

Remember when people used to make fun of big, straight, white Hollywood teeth? Well, not any more; everyone wants whiter teeth. Now there are quicker ways to look younger and fresher, without having to inject poison into yourself.

And while dentists used to use harsh chemicals that could burn your gums, now the levels of peroxide have been reduced, giving really good results more safely.

You do, though, have to be a little careful with DIY home kits. They can still contain high levels of bleach or end up making little effect on your teeth. Furthermore, this is the kind of thing you need professional advice on. Remember Ross in Friends when he ended up with luminous teeth? And what about Jodie Marsh, who looks like she paints hers with Tipp-Ex? Like dying your hair, whitening your teeth is something best left to the professionals.

These days, dentists are as much involved in helping you look good as keeping your mouth healthy, and visiting them can actually be quite a pleasant experience. The cold, white tiling and harsh lighting you remember from your childhood - as well as the spine-tingling whirr of the drill - have disappeared.

Druian & Spektor, for example, in Belsize Park, looks more like a soothing spa, with soft colours, lots of art, and a choice of drinks. Here, friendly dentists will give you a careful examination. There's no point, for example, in whitening your teeth if your gums bleed - it just won't take. They work out what's best for your mouth and what will give you the best results.

Once you have had your consultation, you must then bite on a piece of plastic for ten minutes while watching a DVD, and that's it (a pulsing light does the tricky stuff, but you won't notice it). You can achieve great results in your lunch hour and a quick return visit will bring your shiny new teeth up even whiter. You'll also be sent home with a 'party kit' which you can use to perk up your teeth for special occasions.

'Anything that makes you look better and helps your self-esteem, we're all for it,' says Mervyn Druian, a partner in the practice.

And that's the best thing about it; quick, painless and thoroughly effective, you'll find yourself grinning at strangers all the time.

Druian & Spektor London
Centre for Cosmetic Dentistry
93 Haverstock Hill
London NW3 4RL
0207 722 1235