Mewing is a face-reconstructing technique that involves keeping your tongue on the roof of your mouth to change your jawline's shape. Supporters claim it can reshape your face for a more defined jawline and help with jaw pain, breathing, and orthodontic concerns.
Does Mewing Work? There is no serious research that suggests mewing can change the shape of your jawline or help with other issues. Experts say it's unlikely you'll see any permanent change.
How do I know if I'm mewing correctly? In a proper mewing tongue position, the entire tongue (including the back) is suctioned against the top of the mouth, with the tip of the tongue resting just behind — but not touching — the teeth.
Well, there is no defined time for an individual to mew, but as we said, it is recommended to mew for at least 20 to 30 minutes daily. Don't forget that this is a longtime practice – you can't do it overnight. With time you'll become more conscious about it and will start mewing automatically.
In theory, as the mewing position becomes more natural, it should reduce mouth breathing even while asleep. Resolve sleep apnea: By reducing mouth breathing, mewing is purported to resolve sleep apnea and snoring, as it forces the upper airway to expand and open up.
Mewing enthusiasts might be surprised to learn that improperly forcing your tongue into unnatural positions may lead to undesired effects and could actually: Disrupt tooth alignment. Worsen bite problems and speech issues. Require complicated treatment to resolve.
Yes, your teeth should gently touch while mewing. Don't press your teeth hard against one another. Your bottom center teeth should lightly rest against the back of your front center teeth.
Plenty of videos have been shared on TikTok, showing kids making the shush sign on their lips and then gesturing towards their jawline. The gesture is supposed to mean that they can't answer a question since they're mewing. It's incredibly hilarious but must also be very frustrating for teachers or authority figures.
Attempting to mew persistently could cause teeth misalignment, jaw and tooth pain, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, loose/chipped teeth and further jaw misalignment.
The Bottom Line
While chewing gum isn't a magic bullet for achieving a chiselled jawline, it's a simple and accessible way to engage your jaw muscles. This small, consistent effort can lead to significant self-improvement in your facial structure. As with any physical pursuit, consistency is key.
The temporomandibular joint connects the jaw to the skull, and strain in this area can lead to TMJ disorders. Mewing, especially when overdone or done incorrectly, can place undue stress on the TMJ, leading to pain, difficulty in moving the jaw, and even a clicking sound when opening or closing the mouth.
Results from mewing can vary significantly based on individual factors such as age, consistency, and initial facial structure. Some people may notice subtle changes within a few months, while for others, it might take several years to see significant improvements. Patience and consistency are key.
This may sound weird, but one way to mew while sleeping is to seal your lips with mouth tape. Yes, you read that correctly. If your lips are naturally open as you sleep, taping and sealing your mouth shut is a wonderful technique to keep them closed and correct your tongue posture.
No credible research has shown that mewing works. No evidence shows mewing can permanently alter your jaw structure or treat jaw pain and orthodontic concerns.
The worst thing that can happen if you decide to start mewing is probably some muscular pain or headaches because of the secondary tension it creates. It certainly doesn't hurt to try it, but you've probably got to “mew” for years before there's a significant change in any of your facial characteristics.
Improper tongue posture is one of the main reasons mewing might feel uncomfortable. Perhaps you are not placing your tongue on the palate as you should or are just pushing with the tip of your tongue.
While some are blessed with an angular, noticeable jawline, most of us aren't. This difference is because your facial structure is determined predominantly by genetics. This genetic code defines the width and prominence of your mandible, also known as a jawbone. All mandibles can have attention-grabbing contours.
Lightly Touch Teeth: Focus on making slight contact primarily with your molars for proper jaw alignment. Press Tongue Firmly: Cover as much of your palate as possible by pressing your entire tongue against the roof of your mouth.