For some reason when i wake up in the morning i find that my jaw is tense and i've been gritting my teeth. i feel i may damage my teeth. how do i stop?

A guard will help: Gritting and or grinding your teeth will damage them. When you are asleep you can not control the gritting. Your dentist can make a guard to where at night that fits your teeth precisely will protect your teeth from the force that is created upon gritting. In fact, that force is exponentially greater in a subconscious state than when you are awake!

Gritting teeth: Bruxism (chronic grinding and/or clenching/gritting teeth) is a habit usually due to stress or a bad bite. It happens mostly at night, but also during the day. A night guard can help alleviate any symptoms and protect your teeth. Talk to your dentist, or a dentist who specializes in treating bruxism, for advice on diagnosis and treatment.

Bruxism: Eliminating or reducing bruxism is often difficult. Since stress plays a role, try reducing stress in your life (not always easy, right?). Poor occlusion (bad bite) can also play a role and therefore have it evaluated by a local dentist. Having said that, preventing further problems from this habit can be minimized by wearing a custom fabricated (not OTC) night guard.

See your dentist: Grinding/clenching has many causes including, but not limited to, stress, malocclusion., skeletal imbalance, muscle imbalance, medications, systemic disease, etc. see your Dentist for evaluation to determine cause and prescribe appropriate treatment. Occlusal splint may help reduce damage.