In dentistry, mouthguards have several uses. The first one is as a treatment option for bruxism and TMD. During bruxism, people grind their teeth, which can cause loss of dental substances and even loss of teeth. These mouthguards will lower the level of attrition between the teeth, and lower the strength of the masticatory forces. The same thing happens with the Temporomandibular Joint Disorders.
Another use is to prevent trauma during sports activities. There are many sports that often result in trauma to the mouth and tooth loss. They are worn as a preventive measure. They can’t completely protect the teeth, jaws, and gums, but they lower the chances of an injury. Tooth bleaching can be done in dental trays that are very similar to mouthguards. In orthodontics, dentists use Invisalign, which is a set of clear aligners, a type of mouthguards. Patients who suffer from sleep apnea might use mouthguards as a part of their treatment.