Football stress is causing significant oral health issues for fans, with nearly 70% grinding or clenching their teeth during games and 77% ruminating about games even in bed, creating potential bruxism and jaw tension that dental professionals should recognize in their patients.
- Sixty-nine percent of football fans grind or clench their teeth during stressful games, with symptoms including morning headaches, jaw soreness, and tooth sensitivity.
- Seventy-seven percent of fans continue thinking about games after getting into bed, and 47% stay up later than planned because of football.
- Sixty percent of respondents said football season is stressful, with social media (43%) and sports betting (39%) contributing to anxiety.
- Dentists and hygienists should watch for jaw clenching, bruxism, and sleep disruption as potential indicators of football-related stress in their patients.
For many football fans, stress caused by the game appears to linger long after the final whistle. A national survey commissioned by dental mouthguard brand DenTek reports that nearly 8 in 10 football fans say they ruminate about a football game after its conclusion, and 77% continue thinking about a game even after getting into bed. The findings suggest that for many football fans, bruxism and jaw clenching -- and their related effects -- may show up in the patients in your chair.
DenTek’s survey also revealed that 47% of fans stayed up later than planned because of football, and 40% check scores while in bed. The DenTek Football Stress Test polled 1,000 U.S. adults who said they are football fans between July 30 and August 5, 2026.
Sixty percent of respondents said football season is stressful, with 43% saying that social media contributes to stress and 39% saying that sports betting intensifies stress about the sport.
For fans, 39% reported feeling anxious, 32% said they have trouble falling asleep, 21% experience jaw tension or clenching, and 69% said they grind or clench their teeth during stressful games. Only a small minority of fans -- 22% -- said they don’t stress over a game after it has ended.
In addition to conducting the stress test, DenTek is collaborating with former NFL players and twin brothers Ronde and Tiki Barber to raise awareness of this issue and to help fans recognize when stress extends beyond the game.
"Football has always been emotional, but today's fans never really disconnect from the game," said Ronde Barber, who played 16 seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. "Between fantasy football, injury updates, social media, and nonstop news, football has become part of everyday life for many fans. When the stress of the game follows you beyond the final whistle and into the night, it's worth paying attention -- especially if it's affecting your sleep."
Stress is a major contributor to jaw clenching and bruxism, and patients may not connect symptoms like morning headaches, jaw soreness, tooth sensitivity, or excessive tooth wear with stress. For clinicians and hygienists, the survey’s findings highlight a somewhat surprising source of stress for many people that oral healthcare professionals might not be aware of when it shows up in their chair.
The Football Stress Test is one component of an ongoing awareness campaign DenTek is doing this football season. DenTek and the Barber brothers will continue to share the stress test findings to raise awareness about football stress and the effect on patients’ health while also responding to major NFL storylines this fall, DenTek said.
You can follow DenTek’s campaign on Instagram. DenTek mouthguards are sold by Amazon, Walmart, Target, CVS, and Walgreens.
