Do You Grind Your Teeth More During the Holidays?

The holiday season brings festive meals, time with family, and a break from the everyday routine — but it can also bring stress, irregular sleep, and less‑than‑healthy habits that affect more than just your mood. One question we hear at Southern Dental Munford is whether people tend to grind their teeth more during the holidays. While not everyone does, many patients find their clenching or grinding increases this time of year — and there are clear reasons why.

Let’s take a closer look at how the season can influence teeth grinding, what signs to watch for, and how Dr. Cheryl Bird and the team can help you protect your smile.

Why Teeth Grinding Can Get Worse Around the Holidays

You might think of the holidays as a joyful time, but between busy schedules, social obligations, travel, and even financial pressures, it can also be a time of elevated stress — the kind your body reacts to even if your mind is looking forward to celebrations.

Stress, in turn, can trigger physical responses that show up at night. Your jaw muscles are no exception. When stress is high, muscle tension increases, and for many people, that tension expresses itself through teeth clenching or grinding (bruxism) during sleep. This can interrupt restorative sleep cycles and leave you waking up feeling less refreshed than you should.

Sleep pattern changes also play a role. Later nights, travel, and holiday routines can disrupt your body’s sleep rhythm. Without consistent, restorative sleep, your muscles — including those around your jaw — remain tense, and bruxism is more likely to occur.

Enjoying extra treats, caffeine, or alcohol during holiday gatherings can further contribute to restless sleep and muscle tension. These factors don’t cause grinding all by themselves, but they can be enough to push bruxism into overdrive for someone who’s already prone to it.

Signs Your Grinding Has Increased

Grinding often happens at night, so you may not be aware of it until the effects become noticeable. Common signs include:

• Morning jaw soreness or facial tension
• Headaches, especially near the temples
• Flattened, worn, or chipped teeth
• Tooth sensitivity to pressure
• Tight or fatigued jaw muscles
• Snoring or grinding noises heard by a sleep partner

If these symptoms seem more frequent or intense around holiday time, they may be tied to increased nighttime clenching or grinding.

Why Holiday Grinding Matters

Occasional grinding may not seem like a big deal, but repeated nighttime bruxism can lead to lasting issues. Pressure from grinding can wear down enamel, lead to chips or cracks, affect your bite, and even strain the jaw joints. Over time, this can contribute to sensitivity, discomfort, or damage to dental restorations.

That’s why noticing and addressing grinding sooner rather than later can help preserve your long‑term dental health — and help you feel more comfortable overall.

What You Can Do This Holiday Season

There are practical steps you can take now to reduce the effects of holiday‑related stress on your jaw and teeth:

• Maintain a regular sleep schedule when possible — steady sleep helps the body relax more fully at night.
• Limit evening caffeine, sugary treats, and alcohol, which can disrupt sleep and increase muscle tension.
• Practice stress‑reducing techniques like deep breathing, light stretching, or mindful breaks during busy days.
• Stay mindful of jaw tension — if you notice clenching during the day, gently relax your jaw and position your tongue resting behind your front teeth.

If you’ve recognized signs of grinding, especially persistent jaw soreness or enamel wear, a custom nightguard from Southern Dental Munford can provide meaningful protection. Unlike store‑bought alternatives, a custom guard fits your bite precisely, helping cushion your teeth and reduce muscle strain overnight.

How Southern Dental Munford Can Help

If grinding — especially during the holidays — has been affecting your comfort or sleep quality, we’re here to help. Dr. Cheryl Bird will take time to listen to your concerns, examine your bite and teeth for signs of wear, and determine the best next steps. In many cases, a custom nightguard can significantly reduce the impact of bruxism, protecting your teeth and helping you wake up with less tension.

We’ll also look at your overall oral health, identify any contributing factors, and guide you through options tailored to your needs — all with the care you expect from Southern Dental Munford in Munford, TN.

Keep Holiday Stress From Taking a Bite Out of Your Smile

The holidays are a time for joy — not jaw pain or worn enamel. If you’ve noticed increased grinding, morning soreness, or other signs over the season, you’re not imagining it. Your body may simply be responding to stress and disrupted sleep patterns.

Whether you need tips for nighttime muscle relaxation or a custom nightguard to protect your teeth, Southern Dental Munford is here to support you. Call us today to schedule an evaluation — and let’s make sure your smile stays strong through the holidays and beyond.

Contact Us

Image from Authority Dental under CC 2.0

Categorised in: Bruxism, Custom Nightguards