In this week’s Sleep Diaries, a 43-year-old relationship therapist asks how she can better manage her extreme teeth grinding at night.

A little about me:

Age: 43

Occupation: relationship therapist

Number of hours sleep you get each night: 4-8 hours

Number of hours sleep you wish you got each night: 8/9 hours

Do you grind your teeth/have nightmares: I have a huge problem with grinding my teeth. I take Anadin most mornings when I wake up to help with the tension pain/headaches around my temples, forehead, and jaw. When I was in my teens I had six teeth removed from the back of my mouth which, coupled with my teeth grinding, has led me to develop a slipped disc in my jaw. My jaw will randomly lock at the most inconvenient times (during client sessions and Instagram lives, etc) and I have to discreetly pop it back in place. Botox has helped, but it usually only lasts around six to eight weeks and 12 weeks is required between top-ups. Mouthguards don’t help because I bite down so hard on them that by the morning time it feels like the pain is so much worse.

Do you measure your sleep in some way (e.g. using your phone or wearable): phone

How much water you drink on average per day: 1-2 litres

How much caffeine do you drink on average per day: 5-6 cups of tea/coffee

How much exercise you do on average per week: around 2-3 hours

“I wake up with a tension headache every day – what can I do to help?” A sleep expert answers your questions