Do retainers actually act like a mouthguard when i wear them to sleep?

Depends...: Retainers can be removable plastic or a wire bonded directly to the "tongue-side" of your teeth. The removable style may act as a mouthguard for patients who minimally or only occasionally clench or grind their teeth, but are not designed to be used for that purpose in a heavy or consistent clencher or grinder. See your dentist to determine if you need a separate mouthguard.

Some do: Clear, shrink wrap, retainers do double as a night grinding guard for your teeth as they cover the chewing surfaces involved. I use them routinely for this application.

Not well: Retainers hold teeth in position following orthodontics. Athletic mouth guards protect teeth and reduce concussions because they cover teeth with cushion. Mouth guards for TMJ or grinding keeps teeth from wearing down , holds jaw in position and/or deprogram muscles. Depending on how it is designed and what is rx for, normally will not work.

Depends: Metal wire ones do not . Vivera retainers do.