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THE papers were littered with health warnings about teeth bleaching on the day I was booked in at Senova for a Zoom whitening treatment.

Trading Standards released the results of a study into DIY at-home bleaching kits at the end of June, revealing that many of them actually contain illegal and dangerous levels of hydrogen peroxide.

It seems that in our quest for a whiter smile, a large number of us are actually risking gum disease and even chemical burns to the mouth by investing in the one-size-fits-all mouth tray and gel kits available at just about any chemist, and swamping the internet.

But the answer is simple if you long for whiter teeth without the risk - leave it to the professionals.

Senova Dental Studios is a plush, 50-year-old practice in Watford with professional written all over it. Portraits of past clients beaming their perfect teeth cover its walls, and countless press cuttings reveal the heart-warming tales behind each smile.

Zoom whitening is just one of the treatments on offer at Senova. The studio's dental whizzes can carry out everything from a general check-up to a full set of veneers, and are responsible for much of the stunning dentistry you may have seen on Living TV's series Extreme Makeover UK.

My teeth were in the calm and capable hands of Dr Jay Padayachy, who is a principal dentist at Senova along with Dr David Bloom.

Jay explained the simple Zoom process, a maximum of four 15-minute bursts of blue light to gel-coated teeth resulting in a lift of an average of six to ten shades.

He gave my mouth a thorough check and took x-rays before giving my teeth the green light to be zoomed, as is the case with all prospective whitening patients at Senova.

"It is a total waste of time, and more importantly money, to whiten unhealthy teeth," he told me while digging around my molars.

"What you will end up with is glowing teeth that will fall out, as is now coming to light."

Mouth clamped wide open but surprisingly comfortable, I was led to Senova's spa room where I sat in a soft leather massage chair while Jay slicked a layer of gel on my teeth and pointed the blue light in the direction of my mouth. His nurse then set a timer, placed a call button in my lap and hit play on the stereo before leaving me alone for 15 minutes of music, leg massage and, oh yes, teeth whitening.

The first of these sessions was a breeze, as was the first half of the second. But, just as I began to relish the most euphoric and painless trip to the dentists I had ever experienced, I got my first zinger.

A zinger is a term used by Senova to describe the sharp pain that sometimes comes with Zoom. Jay told me it can be likened to the sting of accidentally biting into tin foil, and he was right.

Zingers are undeniably uncomfortable, became more frequent as my treatment progressed, and can still occur in the hours that follow the treatment. But they are in no way a reason to avoid Zoom.

After the maximum four 15-minute sessions, all equipment was removed from my mouth and Jay's nurse helped me to treat my hands to a paraffin hand wax, before taking me back to his chair.

It was then that I was shown my gleaming teeth, and broke into a grin worthy of a Cheshire cat. They were indeed significantly whiter and still are, now one week and countless compliments later.

Moulds are taken following the treatment so that patients can be provided with exact-fit trays and gel to use at home, in order to achieve the whitest smile possible. These have to be worn for an hour a day for one to two weeks post-Zoom, and then again after a few months have passed if you feel the need for a brightening boost.

Go on, stop smirking and start dazzling.

Senova Dental Studios is at 166 Leavesden Road, Watford. Call 01923 233 600 or visit www.senovadental.com. Limited Edition has teamed up with Senova to offer one lucky reader a Zoom treatment at the studio.

For your chance to win click on the following link: http://www.lemagazine.co.uk/competitions/display.var.1593885.0.win_a_zoom_teeth_whitening_treatment_at_senova_in_watford.php

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