Have You Heard of “Mewing”? Let’s Unpack This Viral Trend
Hey everyone, John here! It feels like every time I scroll through social media, there’s a new health or beauty trend that everyone is talking about. The latest one that’s been filling up my feed is called “mewing.”
You may have seen videos with dramatic before-and-after photos, claiming this simple trick can completely change the shape of your face and give you a chiseled jawline. It sounds almost too good to be true, right? Well, today, my assistant Lila and I are going to dive into what mewing is, how it’s done, and what the experts have to say about it. Let’s get to the bottom of this!
So, What Exactly Is “Mewing”?
At its heart, mewing is all about tongue posture. That’s it! It’s the practice of consciously placing your tongue in a specific position against the roof of your mouth. The name “mewing” comes from a British orthodontist, Dr. John Mew, and his son, Dr. Mike Mew. They developed a practice they call “orthotropics.”
Lila: “Hang on, John. ‘Orthotropics’ sounds pretty technical. What does that mean?”
John: “That’s a great question, Lila! Think of it as a special branch of orthodontics (the field that deals with straightening teeth). While traditional orthodontics often uses braces to move teeth, orthotropics focuses more on guiding the growth of the jaw and face using oral posture and exercises, especially in children whose bones are still developing.”
The core idea promoted by the Mews is that the way we hold our tongue, jaw, and mouth can influence our facial structure over time. Mewing is the main exercise they recommend to achieve what they consider to be the correct oral posture.
How Do You “Mew”? A Step-by-Step Guide
According to its supporters, learning to mew is like learning good body posture—it might feel strange at first, but eventually, it’s meant to become a natural habit. Here’s the basic technique:
- Close your lips completely.
- Adjust your jaw so that your front bottom teeth are resting just slightly behind your front upper teeth.
- Press your entire tongue—from the base to the tip—flat against the roof of your mouth (also known as your palate).
- The very tip of your tongue should be near the front of your mouth, just behind your upper front teeth, but not touching them.
- Breathe through your nose while maintaining this gentle, constant pressure.
Imagine your tongue is a suction cup lightly holding onto the roof of your mouth. It’s not meant to be a forceful push, but a consistent, gentle placement that you hold throughout the day.
The Big Claims: What Is Mewing Supposed to Achieve?
People who practice mewing have some pretty big hopes for what it can do. The theory is that the gentle, upward pressure from the tongue can help widen the upper palate over a long period. This, in turn, is said to lead to a whole host of benefits, including:
- Creating a stronger, more defined jawline.
- Helping to align the top and bottom rows of teeth.
-Potentially easing issues like sinusitis and sleep apnea by creating more space in the airways.
These are the claims that have fueled its popularity online, with countless people posting photos they believe show significant changes in their facial structure.
The Expert Opinion: Does It Really Work?
This is the most important question, isn’t it? We can talk about techniques and theories all day, but we need to know if there’s any real science to back it up. We looked at what several doctors and dentists had to say.
Unfortunately, for those hoping for a quick fix, the consensus among medical professionals is clear: there is very little to no scientific evidence that mewing can change an adult’s facial bones.
Dr. Bobbi Stanley, a dentist, says that while the idea of proper tongue posture is good, it’s not new information. She makes a great comparison: “Think of it like standing up straight,” she suggests. “When you have good posture, you look taller, thinner, and more confident. But it doesn’t actually change the length of your skeleton.” Similarly, correct tongue posture might make your jawline look a bit more defined in the moment, but it’s not going to reshape your jawbone.
Dr. David Shafer, a board-certified plastic surgeon, agrees. He states plainly that there’s no scientific evidence to support the claims. He points out that the look of your jawline is mostly determined by things you can’t control, like your genetics and where your body stores fat. While mewing might tone some of the small muscles under your chin, he says it won’t change the underlying bone structure.
Finally, Dr. Kami Hoss, an orthodontist, warns that our jaw development is mostly finished after we go through puberty. Trying to change it as an adult without professional guidance can be a bad idea.
Are There Any Dangers to Mewing?
While it might seem harmless, the experts warn that trying to alter your bite and jaw alignment on your own can have some real risks. Dr. Hoss is particularly concerned about people trying to “self-treat” issues that should be handled by a professional.
Here are some potential problems that could arise from mewing incorrectly or too aggressively:
- Dental Misalignment: You could accidentally shift your teeth into a position that makes your bite worse.
- Jaw Pain: It could cause or worsen pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which is the hinge that connects your jaw to your skull.
- Loose or Chipped Teeth: Applying incorrect pressure could damage your teeth over time.
The experts all agree: if you are concerned about your jaw, your bite, or issues like sleep apnea, the first step should always be to see a qualified orthodontist or doctor. They can give you a proper diagnosis and recommend treatments that are proven to be safe and effective.
A Few Final Thoughts
John’s Take: After digging into this, it seems like “mewing” is a bit of a mixed bag. The core principle of being mindful of your tongue posture is probably a good thing, much like being mindful of sitting up straight. However, the idea that it’s a magic bullet for changing your face as an adult just isn’t supported by science. The risks of causing unintended damage seem to outweigh the unproven benefits.
Lila’s Take: As a beginner, I can totally see why this trend is so popular! The promise of changing your face with a free, simple exercise is really appealing. But hearing that it could actually cause jaw pain or mess up my teeth is a reality check. It’s a good reminder to always look for expert opinions and not just trust social media trends, especially when it comes to my health!
This article is based on the following original source, summarized from the author’s perspective:
Is This The Easiest Way To Fake A Firmer Jawline?