Could ditching popcorn and prosecco keep you smiling?

Whether on or off the red carpet, Hollywood stars are usually impeccably well groomed with dazzling smiles.

So when Demi Moore appeared on a US chat show last week and revealed she was missing one of her front teeth, she hit the headlines.

The actress, 54, explained that two of her teeth had broken due to stress and she now had to wear dentures.

She is not alone.

According to celebrity dentist Dr Richard Marques (wimpolestreetdental.com) it is a common problem.

“This is something I see in the clinic more and more,” says Dr Marques, whose clients include singer Rita Ora and DJ Nick Grimshaw.

“Increasingly hectic jobs and busy lifestyles lead to stress and this causes teeth grinding.”

However, stress is not the only thing that can damage your teeth.

We asked the experts for their top tips on how to save your smile.

STRESS LESS

Stress can cause what is known as bruxism, clenching the jaw and grinding the teeth during sleep.

As the teeth grind against each other they are worn down, leaving them at risk of sensitivity and chipping.

In extreme cases such as Demi Moore’s, teeth grinding can cause cracking and breakage.

Dr Marques considers prevention to be key.

“It’s worth getting to the root of your stress to try to tackle it,” he says.

“Taking a break from screens and smartphones can help. And try mindfulness and breathing exercises.”

If the damage has already been done there are still steps you can take to stop the problem getting worse.

“After rebuilding any broken teeth, we then use a mould to make a bite guard which protects the teeth while you sleep,” says Dr Marques.

“Acupuncture in the jaw can relieve tension and hypnotherapy can help in some cases too.”

POPCORN

Popcorn has gone from snack food to superfood recently due to its low calorie content.

However, popcorn can be risky for your teeth.

If you bite down on an uncracked kernel there is a high risk of breaking or cracking a tooth.

Also, if little pieces of popcorn become stuck between teeth they can lead to infection.

Dentist Dr Sameer Patel at Elleven Dental (ellevendental. com) says regular flossing is key.

“Ensure you are flossing thoroughly at least two to three times a week to remove bacteria and dislodge trapped food such as popcorn.

 “If you do not floss you are only cleaning a third of the tooth and could be at risk of tooth decay,” he says.

CHEWING ICE

After drinking a summery cocktail it can be tempting to chew the ice left in the glass.

But chewing on hard, frozen ice cubes can chip or even crack your teeth, as the pressure and sudden change in temperature can place stress on the tooth enamel, causing it to crack.

“A serious crack can result in an abscess or tooth infection,” says Dr Patel.

“It can also irritate the soft tissue inside your tooth which may result in regular toothache.

“Next time you get the urge for ice, reach for sugarless chewing gum instead to avoid stress on the enamel.”

USING TEETH AS A TOOL

If you use your teeth to remove clothes labels or twist off bottle caps, you could cause permanent dental damage.

“People often use their teeth as tools for cutting, ripping and opening various objects. However, this can cause serious stress and damage to their structure and strength,” says Dr Patel.

“Using your teeth as a tool carries the risk of fracturing one.

“When it becomes damaged, chips, fractures or cracks can appear which can cause decay and increase sensitivity.”

To prevent this from happening avoid using your teeth for anything else other than eating.

LIPSTICK

Your lipstick shade could be making your teeth look yellow.

“Drawing on basic colour-wheel principles, if you choose orange, pink or yellow-based lipsticks, they will make your teeth appear more yellow, says Dr Mervyn Druian of the London Centre For Cosmetic Dentistry (londoncosmetic dentistry.co.uk).

“Choose reds with a blue undertone as these will make your teeth appear whiter.”

Try Mac Liptensity Lipstick in Cordovan, £17.50 (maccosmetics.co.uk), a rich berry red with blue tones, or Estée Edit Flash Photo Gloss, £10.50 (esteelauder. co.uk), which contains blue micro-pearls to help bring out the white in your smile.

PROSECCO IS A NO NO

While it might be good for your waistline with fewer calories than wine, prosecco has a high carbon dioxide level, which is acidic and attacks the enamel.

“It also contains about a teaspoon of sugar per glass,” explains Dr Druian.

To combat this, alternate glasses of prosecco with still water and when drinking the water, swill it around your mouth and teeth.

DON’T NIBBLE YOUR NAILS

Nail biting is not just a bad habit, it can also badly damage your teeth.

“The muscles we use to chew are stronger than we realise and biting nails can dislodge veneers and fillings,” says dentist Dr Stanley Kay of the Harley Street Dental Clinic (harleystreetdentalclinic.co.uk).

And Dr Kay adds: “The best way to prevent this is to keep your nails short or use an unpleasant-tasting nail polish.”

Try Stop ’n Grow Stop Biting, £4.50 (boots.com).