Are you worried about getting your taxes done this year? Have too many things on your "to-do" list and not enough time to do it? Are you planning a move? All of these situations cause stress, which could lead to tooth grinding or clenching, and eventually to temporomandibular disorder (TMD), reports the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), an organization of general dentists dedicated to continuing education.

Overloading the tiny muscles in your jaw can cause TMD. "When people have a lot of responsibility, stress may manifest with symptoms such as tightened jaw muscles without realizing it," says E. Mac Edington, DDS, MAGD, ABGD, past president of the AGD. "Over short periods of time, the habit is not detrimental."

Dr. Edington warns that prolonged grinding or clenching may cause soreness of the jaw. Other signs you should watch out for are the partial or full locking of the jaw, clicking in the jaw area, earaches that are not caused by infections and pain surrounding the temples. If your discomfort is more intense when you wake up in the morning, you may be clenching while sleeping. If your jaw hurts at the end of the day, you may be clenching at work. Pay attention to where the pain is located and follow these simple tips:

• Keep your teeth apart by placing your tongue between your teeth.
• Stretch your jaw by gently opening and closing.
• Call your dentist to ensure there is no serious problem if pain continues for more than five days.


"Find where your stress is coming from, reduce and even eliminate it. It will save your teeth from wear and stop headaches," says Dr. Edington.