- Chewing gum can stretch the masseter muscles, which are the muscles near your ears.
- But it would take years of chewing gum for about 6-8 hours a day to see a difference.
- To really change the shape of your jawline, choose options like dermal fillers or botox.
Chances are, you may have seen his kill viral videos on youtube advertising the results of chewing gum for defining the muscles in your jaw line. But despite the popularity of this quick “hack” for bigger jaw muscles, the science behind it is questionable.
Here’s what you need to know about the effect of gum on your jawline, as well as other ways to change the appearance of your jawline.
Does chewing gum give you a better jaw line?
Just like how reps at the gym lead to bigger muscles, the repetitive act of chewing gum can have a similar effect, he says. Dr. Derek Steinbacher, the head of oral and maxillofacial surgery at Yale Medicine and professor of surgery at Yale School of Medicine.
Specifically, chewing gum can widen the masseter muscles, which are the jaw muscles located near your ears.
But the amount of chewing you’d have to do to actually see wider, thicker masticatory muscles is excessive—probably six to eight hours of chewing a day for years at a time, he says. Dr. Santhos Shivamhead and neck surgeon, facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon and assistant professor of otolaryngology at Baylor College of Medicine.
Additionally, any possible widening will likely only take place at the corners of the jaw, making only that area wider, Steinbacher says.
Not to mention, the size of your muscles is just one component of many that affect the overall appearance of your jawline. Sivam says these other factors include:
- The very structure of the lower jaw bone
- Thick patches on your cheeks
- Fat on your neck
- Excess skin on your neck
- The location of the salivary (spit) glands in your throat
- The bone structure of the lower jaw bone itself
Because of all these factors, it is impossible to guarantee that the gum will build muscle in the exact places that look most aesthetically pleasing. Instead, you may end up facing unnecessary risks.
Dangers of chewing gum
If you chew gum, especially if you chew too much, you face potential risks due to the ingredients in the gum.
Steinbacher says chewing gum with sugar isn’t good for your teeth. This is because the bacteria in your mouth metabolizes sugar into acidwhich can lead to cavities or tooth decay.
Chewing sugar-free gum can help you avoid it, however, Steinbacher says some people are sensitive to artificial sweeteners like aspartame.
Plus, since chewing gum involves your jaw, this habit can worsen any existing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. or TMJ pain, says Sivam.
TMJ is a jaw dysfunction that affects up to 12% of people around the world. Can lead to symptoms such as:
- Jaw pain
- Pain in the face
- Pain in the ear
- Pain when chewing
- Locking or clicking joints
Additionally, chewing gum can lead to effects that go beyond your jaw and teeth. When you chew gum, you can swallow a lot of airwhich can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms such as excessive belching, bloating and flatulence.
How to change your jaw line
Cosmetic procedures, whether non-surgical or surgical, are far more likely than chewing gum to give you the exact results you desire if you want a different jaw shape.
A specialist will work with you to discuss your ideal jaw shape and determine what you are a candidate for.
Non-surgical options include:
- Injectable dermal filler: Filler injected along the jawline can help create a sharper jawline, Steinbacher says. This is a non-invasive outpatient procedure and most common types of filler will provide results that last six to 12 months.
- Cybella (deoxycholic acid): Bucket is an injectable that dissolves fat under the chin, which can in turn create a more defined jawline, says Sivam. You may need several sessions to continue to destroy fat cells and achieve the desired results.
- Botox: Botox can reduce the size of your masseter muscles. Sivam this procedure is best for someone who wants to achieve a more pronounced jawline by slimming the appearance of their jawline and reducing the width of the face, rather than increasing the volume of the masseter muscles. Results typically last four to six months, Sivam says.
- Weight loss: If you are overweight and your doctor agrees that losing weight is healthy for you, losing weight can change the appearance of your jawline. “Maintaining or striving for a healthy weight can help create better definition in the face overall, and this can contribute to a more defined jawline,” says Sivam.
Long-term surgical options include:
- Neck Contour: Since skin and fat under the chin and neck affect the appearance of the jawline, Steinbacher says a neck lift or liposuction can help those who are the right candidate. During a neck lift, the surgeon removes fat and skin from the area. Liposuction is when excess fat is suctioned out through small incisions in the skin.
- Facial implants: Steinbacher says a surgeon can insert facial implants on the jaw or even the chin to create a different shape for the jaw. Implants are usually made of medical-grade silicone and are a long-term alternative to dermal filler.
- Orthognathic surgery: For some patients, orthognathic jaw surgery it’s a choice, says Steinbacher. In this procedure, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon will operate directly on the jawbones to correct the alignment and reshape the jaw.
Packaged interior
While it’s possible for chewing gum to strengthen your masticatory muscles and increase their size if you chew enough, it’s not necessarily your best bet if you want a sharper jawline.
Remember, jaws aren’t the only factor in how your jawline looks. It also depends on your face structure.
Opting for cosmetic procedures performed by professionals will give you much more precision and more ideal results in terms of contouring your jawline. See a board-certified dermatologist or surgeon for a consultation to discuss which type of procedure is best for you.
