Mewing is a technique that involves placing the tongue on the roof of the mouth to shape the jawline and face. Some people believe that this can improve facial aesthetics.
It is an increasingly popular technique on social networking sites, but there is currently no scientific evidence to support it.
Here we explain the origins of the idea of mewing and examine whether there is any science behind it. We also provide alternative options for shaping the face.
Mewing is a technique that some people claim can improve the aesthetics of the jawline.
Mewing involves placing the tongue on the roof of the mouth closing the lips and the teeth coming together.
The purported benefits of miaging include a well-defined jawline and improved chin and nose alignment.
Anecdotal reports have also suggested that magical cooking can help resolve:
- sleep apnea
- breathing and swallowing problems
- speech disorders
- temporomandibular joint dysfunction
- sinusitis
According to websites that support the technique, mewing is simply placing the tongue on the roof of the mouth. The entire tongue should rest against the roof of the mouth, sitting between the molars.
The tip is to keep the tongue in this position whenever the mouth is closed until it becomes a normal resting position.
If holding the tongue in this position is new to people, they may find it tiring at first. Obviously, a person should feel mild pressure in the middle of their face, jaw, and chin if they are smelling properly.
Mewing is named after Dr. John Mew, the orthodontist who discovered the technique and coined the term “orthotropics.”
His son, Mike Mew, is also an orthotropic practitioner. Orthotropics is a practice that focuses on changing the jaw line and facial shape through facial and mouth posture and exercises.
General Dental Council recently removed Dental license of John Mew. They decided to take this action because of Mew’s criticism of traditional orthodontic treatments, as well as his unconventional beliefs and practices.
Above the last 2 yearsusers on social media and video sites such as YouTube have increased the popularity of mewing as a technique to improve the jawline.
All support for the benefits of mewing so far has come from social networking sites, which have no specific regulation on the subject.
Some articles and blogs have also warned of the dangers of obsessing over mewing as a healing technique. Mewing is not scientifically proven and may or may not produce the desired results.
Some anecdotal evidence reports visible results within a few months, but most sites agree that it can take years for a person to notice results, if at all.
Many proponents of mewing on social media are teenagers, whose faces and jaws are likely to change naturally during puberty, not as a result of this technique.
There is no evidence to support meowing as an alternative treatment to jaw surgery or other scientifically based facial contouring methods.
If people have jaw misalignment, which doctors may refer to as a malocclusion, they may need corrective jaw surgery. Jaw surgery is also called orthognathic surgery.
Surgery can help align the upper and lower jaw by moving one or both back or forward into an aligned position. People may also have braces on their teeth to help with alignment.
An orthodontist may prescribe certain jaw exercises to do after jaw surgery. It is important to follow them carefully to get the best results from surgery.
For people who wish to shape their face for cosmetic reasons, face contouring may be a suitable option.
Face contouring or face sculpting uses cosmetic surgery to change the shape of the jaw, chin and cheeks. A cosmetic surgeon may use botox (Botox) injections and dermal fillers to change the appearance of the face.
A clinician will conduct a thorough consultation with the individual and take a full medical history prior to treatment to ensure it is safe.
Radiofrequency is another technique that people can use for facial contouring. People sometimes use this technique to treat sagging skin—called skin laxity—that can appear around the jawline and cheeks.
The radio waves produce a current of energy, which a clinician will apply to the skin. Radiofrequency causes heat damage to the skin, which stimulates increased collagen production in the deep layers of the skin to repair tissue.
Radiofrequency procedures for skin relaxation can vary widely, and there is not yet enough evidence to confirm that they are safe or effective.
Mewing is a technique that proponents claim can reshape the jaw over time. Mewing involves placing the tongue on the roof of the mouth, which is supposed to reshape the jaw over time.
There is currently no scientific evidence to prove that miaging is an effective technique for facial reshaping.
Although some anecdotal reports show it works, before and after comparison photos online can often be misleading.
People may or may not experience results from mewing, and it may take years to see a change, if at all.
If people wish to shape their face or realign their jaw for cosmetic or medical reasons, it is best to consult a doctor.
Other facial contouring methods, such as surgery or facial contouring, have more scientific evidence to support them and may be more effective.
