Arshad Ali, a leading consultant in restorative dentistry at Glasgow Dental Hospital and specialist at Glasgow's Niddrie Square Clinic, treats patients every day that suffer with low self esteem due to poor dental appearance.

He said: 'A number of my patients have been inhibited or depressed and don't even want to smile because of the condition of their teeth. Sometimes we can transform their lives in a day.

'A personalised lesson in how to brush properly can prevent gum disease and its subsequent conditions such as bad breath or a simple cosmetic treatment can brighten the appearance of their teeth.

'Cosmetic dentistry is certainly becoming more desirable.Ten years ago people didn't bother about staining or misalignment, but these days everyone wants the ultimate show-stopping smile.

'But this can backfire.We once had a 17-year-old girl with badly discoloured and misaligned front teeth who had become extremely introvert as a result.

'But after we gave her teeth and a smile like Charlotte Church there was no stopping her as she also adopted the singer's party animal attitude.

'The following week her father demanded we un-do all the work so he could get his timid daughter back. Of course we couldn't, but it proves how important the appearance of your teeth are to your mood.'

Tests from Guys, Kings and St Thomas Dental Institute in London also adds credibility to the theory that a perfect smile boosts our image.

Results found people with decayed or discoloured teeth have a lower social, intellectual and psychological level on first impression. So not only can looking after teeth send your confidence into orbit, it may even help clinch a promotion at work.

As if that's not enough to have us reaching for the brush and floss, new studies funded by Hewlett Packard on Scottish volunteers concluded seeing a smile gives us more pleasure than sex or eating chocolate.

Put it to the test to see that when you smile, the world smiles with you.

For more information contact: #Niddrie Square Clinic, Glasgow on 0141 424 4441.

#Cancer Research UK at www.cancerresearchuk.org  #WoSCAP at www.woscap.co.uk  #British Dental Health Foundation at www.dentalhealth.org.uk

SEVEN TOP TIPS

TO mark National Smile Week (May 15-21) its co-ordinators, the British Dental Health Foundation, have come up with seven tips for seven days to keep our mouths looking and feeling fantastic:

  1. Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste

  2. T ry to change your toothbrush every two to three months.

  3. Cut down on sugary foods and drinks

  4. Visit your dentist regularly.

  5. Floss your teeth at least once a day.

  6. Chew sugar-free gum after meals.

  7. Be aware of your mouth