MAKING that great first impression is made so much easier with a great smile. Be it at your first job interview or that all important first date, your teeth are a big asset on the road to seduction or success.

Just think of all those film stars whose smile can shift thousands of cinema tickets. Superstars Julia Roberts and Jack Nicholson have made their smile, and the teeth behind it, the key to their image.

I am ashamed to say, after an absence from regular dental treatment for several years, I investigated the option of teeth whitening to enhance my all important smile.

Whitening or bleaching is an easy and harmless way you can get your teeth right up their in the big leagues. Carlos Clark, a dentist at the Mill House Dental Surgery, on London Road, High Wycombe, says teeth whitening is a quick fix to discolouration and staining that can build up over the years.

Dr Clark explains: "This procedure will give instant results to anyone with staining. It will work best on people who have lived at little."

"Living a little" means years of indulging in coffee, cigarettes and red wine - all pleasures which can leave a lasting impression on the brightness of your pegs.

Dr Clark continues: "We usually see great results with ladies, aged around 45, who have smoked for a few years and enjoyed a few bottles of red wine. They can have amazing results with whitening."

Staining of the teeth can come from cola, tea and even red sauces. Your teeth have a lot to put up with on a daily basis but with a little help from your local dentist things can change in an instant.

The teeth whitening procedure, called Zoom, is simple and painless. It takes an hour and a half and has instant results. Some people can experience sensitivity after the procedure, but I had no adverse effects.

My teeth, which Dr Clark kindly said were relatively white before, jumped up two shades of whiteness and I was astounded with the outcome.

The bleaching procedure, which costs around £500, lightens your front teeth using a combination of a hydrogen peroxide gel and a specially designed ultraviolet lamp.

Firstly gums and the inside of your mouth are protected to stop the gel causing any harm. A plastic retractor, which sounds a lot worse than it is, keeps your mouth open and protects the tongue.

The whitening gel is then applied to your teeth and you sit back and relax under the UV lamp some strong sun cream is also applied around your lips, chin and mouth to stop an unwanted tan. Ultraviolet light filtered goggles are worn during the procedure.

The gel and light is applied in three 20 minute sections to ensure the best result.

A home whitening kit is also provided in the package. The initial result can fade after a few weeks so moulds are taken of your teeth at the first consultation.

After the session Dr Clark gave me my moulds, and an at-home kit, which he told me to apply two to three weeks after the initial whitening.

The at-home kit is recommended if your teeth aren't that badly stained, and it costs around £300 and is very easy to use.

Cosmetic dentistry is becoming more and more popular, dentist Dr Clark has seen some great success stories.

He says: "We get the best results from patients who do not have fillings or crowns on the front teeth. All my patents who have tried Zoom are really pleased with the outcome.

"It will improve your smile without people having to do anything destructive to their teeth."

If I am being honest, I was apprehensive about going to the dentist for the first time in years. My bad experiences, which weren't really that bad, had put me off.

But after my consultations and conversations with Dr Clark, I am happy to say I will be going for my regular check-ups. The relaxed but professional atmosphere at the practice put me at ease with my unfamiliar surroundings. The thought of an hour and half in the dentist chair for anything other than whitening is not something I want to contemplate but for purely cosmetic reasons I would go back any day of the week.

If you are thinking about improving your smile, this is a great solution.

The results are immediate. I was dazzling people back at the office after my procedure and enjoying the benefits of compliments from friends and family that same evening.

If you can be confident about your smile, you can be confident to make a lasting impression on anyone you talk you.

I am taking better care of my teeth than ever now, flossing the recommended twice-a-day and I even invested in an electric toothbrush to keep them looking perfect.

The science of smiles has developed into something you access at your dentist surgery and control to make an impact on your life.