PR Newswire·Sep 1, 2026, 9:18 AM ET

Football Stress May Be Following Fans to Bed, According to the Inaugural DenTek® Football Stress Test

A DenTek-commissioned survey reveals 78% of football fans continue thinking about the game after it ends.
77% of fans report thinking about football after getting into bed.
47% of fans have stayed up later than planned due to football-related stress.
40% of fans check football scores while in bed.
60% of fans describe football season as stressful, with 43% citing social media and 39% citing sports betting as stress sources.
Among fans who find the season stressful, 39% report feeling anxious, 32% have trouble falling asleep, and 21% experience jaw tension or clenching.
69% of fans say they grind or clench their teeth during stressful football games.
NFL legends Ronde Barber and Tiki Barber joined DenTek to highlight the connection between football stress, sleep issues, and oral health.
The findings are part of the "Fantasy Guards 2.0" initiative, which promotes awareness of stress-induced nighttime teeth grinding.
DenTek Nighttime Dental Guards are available at major retailers including Amazon, Walmart, Target, CVS, and Walgreens.
The survey was conducted by OnePoll among 1,000 U.S. adult football fans between July 30 and August 5, 2026.
The "Fantasy Guards" campaign is not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Football League.