What Is Mewing? Does Mewing Actually Work?

Mewing is a viral technique that’s supposed to change the appearance of your jawline. But there’s no evidence to suggest it’s effective.

The practice of mewing, credited to British orthodontist Dr. Mike Mew, involves tongue placement as a method for facial restructuring. Although the exercises have gained significant attention on online platforms like YouTube, mewing is not a recent discovery. Proper tongue alignment is actually recommended by some orthodontists and medical professionals to enhance jaw definition, address speech impediments, and potentially alleviate jaw-related pain.

Despite the widespread attention, it’s important to note that mewing has its limitations and might not yield the same results as portrayed in online videos. If you have any concerns about your oral or jaw health, it’s advisable to seek professional medical advice for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Where Does Mewing Come From? 

Mewing isn’t a recognized medical term. It was named after the British orthodontist Dr. John Mew, who introduced the method in the 1970s as part of his alternative orthodontic approach known as orthotropics.

Orthotropics involves exercises for facial and oral posture as well as the use of certain appliances to alter the jawline and face shape. Originally designed for children to influence jaw development and straighten teeth for a more pleasing appearance, the London School of Facial Orthotropics, an organization founded and supported by John Mew, now also advocates this practice for adults.

Dr. Mew and his proponents suggest that human jaws are becoming smaller due to environmental and lifestyle factors such as consuming soft food and breathing through the mouth, rather than the commonly accepted genetic influences. They propose that smaller jaws can lead to crowding of teeth and alterations in facial shape. Mewing is purported to aid in enlarging and strengthening the jaw, repositioning teeth, and creating a more angular jawline.

How To Mew

According to the London School of Facial Orthotropics, the fundamentals of mewing involve maintaining specific oral posture, which includes:

• The tongue resting on the roof of the mouth
• The lips being sealed
• The top and bottom teeth in light contact
  Adopting this position and making it a natural habit may take time and practice, approximately 14 months to 2 years. The core principle of mewing suggests that consistently maintaining this oral posture can contribute to teeth alignment and enhance facial structure.

Does Mewing Work? 

Mewing has not been shown to permanently change the structure of your jaw in any reliable study. Furthermore, there’s no proof that mewing can cure conditions like sleep apnea, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), sinusitis, or breathing difficulties.

The London School of Facial Orthotropics, which is supported by John and Mike Mew, is the source of the majority of the claims. Online photos that make a promise about before and after mewing are also suspect because of photo angling and lighting issues. Try mewing during a photo shoot, and at most you might get a momentary contoured look.

The observation that human jaws are shrinking is confirmed by research, supporting John Mew’s theory. Furthermore, studies have indicated that a child’s jaw development can be impacted by their oral posture, or the way they orient their teeth and tongue. In fact, a small study involving fifty children discovered that the faces of those who breathed through their mouths had slightly different features.

The alignment of your tongue can alter the shape of your face. The way your tongue rests naturally can also reveal to orthodontists potential problems with your mouth, such as tongue thrusting that can cause problems with your bite, speech, or swallowing. American Association of Orthodontists. You should avoid the current internet craze.

Potential Risks

Mewing won’t likely successfully change your teeth or jawline, but attempting to change the structure of your jaw without a doctor’s advice can be dangerous. You shouldn’t try to alter your jawline or teeth through mewing. If you’re worried about problems with your jaw structure, instead consult a medical professional. They are qualified to assess the intricacies of your facial structure and devise a course of action.

A lot of work goes into facial restructuring, which includes changing the soft tissue, bones, and jaw. Changing your jawline without consulting a professional could harm these entwined areas permanently. Mewing, however, is unlikely to have any unfavorable side effects because there is insufficient evidence to support its effectiveness.

Treatment Alternatives to Mewing

If your jaw shape, pain, or dental woes stem from a misaligned jaw—called malocclusion—you’ll likely need to see an orthodontist. Depending on the cause of a misaligned jaw, treatments may include:⁹

• Surgery: Corrective jaw surgery to help realign the upper and lower jaws
• Tooth repair: Reshaping or capping irregular teeth that cause overcrowding
• Orthodontics: Including braces, or metal bands attached to bonds on the teeth to help adjust tooth alignment
• Tooth removal: Removing teeth that cause overcrowding

If you want to change your facial composition or jawline for aesthetic reasons, cosmetic surgery and treatments are other potential options. However, these cosmetic procedures can be very pricey and come with their own set of risks. Some methods that can alter your jawline include: 

• Facial contouring: Facial sculpting surgery that changes your chin, cheeks, and jawline’s shape by removing fat or adding implants¹⁰ 
• Dermal fillers (jawline contour treatment): Gel injected into the skin around the jaw to sharpen or adjust the symmetry of the jawline¹¹ 
• Radiofrequency (RF) therapy: Energy waves are shot deep into your skin and create heat, which can stimulate collagen production or reduce fat to contour the facial skin.

A Quick Review  

By applying pressure to the roof of your mouth, you can alter the shape of your jawline by mewing, a do-it-yourself facial reconstruction technique. Research supports the basic concepts associated with mewing, but more evidence is required to confirm its efficacy despite anecdotal evidence. You won’t probably get results if you try mewing. If you are concerned about the structure of your jaw, speak with a healthcare professional before attempting any do-it-yourself face reconstruction methods.