What Are Mouthguards Used For In Dentistry?

Mouthguards are devices people place in their mouths for a number of reasons, and they are commonly recommended by dentists. A mouthguard is something that can offer protection for your teeth, and it can help with other things too. If you are wondering why dentists recommend mouthguards, here are several reasons for them that you should know about.

Protection with sports

The most common reason people wear mouthguards is for protection of their teeth when playing sports, and some sports require that all players wear these. For example, if you play football or participate in boxing, you would be required to wear a mouthguard. If you get hit in your mouth while playing a sport like this, the mouthguard would offer protection to your teeth, and this reduces the risks of tooth damage or loss of teeth from contact sports.

Prevention of damage to teeth from grinding

Secondly, many people grind their teeth while sleeping, and while this may not seem like a big problem, it really is. Grinding your teeth on a nightly basis can wear down your teeth, causing the enamel to come off. In extreme cases, grinding can even cause your teeth to slowly become smaller, as you grind away the surface of the teeth. Grinding also leads to tooth sensitivity and can cause you to crack or chip your teeth. Grinding has so many negative effects on teeth, yet you can prevent damage from grinding just by wearing a mouthguard to bed each night. This will stop the damage from occurring even if you continue to grind your teeth while you are sleeping.

Treating sleep apnea

The third most common purpose of a mouthguard is for treating sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition that falls into the category of sleep disorders, and it has a lot of negative effects on a person's health due to its nature. If you have sleep apnea and have not decided what treatment option to go with, you could try wearing a mouthguard as a form of treatment. This type of mouthguard helps position your mouth in a way that allows you to breathe easier while you sleep. Wearing a mouthguard can reduce the negative health risks of sleep apnea and may help you sleep better at night.

If your dentist recommends wearing a mouthguard, it is probably for one of these reasons. If you have questions about mouthguards, or if you would like to find out if you need one, contact a dental clinic like Jerry C Hu DDS Family Dentistry LLC today.