Mewing, the practice of resting your tongue on the roof of your mouth, is a real technique, but its purported effects on jawline and facial structure lack scientific backing. While the act of mewing itself is real, the claimed transformative results are largely unsubstantiated.
What is Mewing?
Mewing involves consciously positioning your tongue against the roof of your mouth, specifically against the alveolar ridge (the bony ridge behind your upper teeth). Proponents claim this practice can reshape the jaw, improve facial aesthetics, and correct bite issues. [Source: Medical News Today, Vogue, WebMD]
Scientific Evidence: The Verdict
Currently, there is no credible scientific research to support the claims that mewing reshapes the jawline or significantly alters facial structure. Multiple sources, including the American Association of Orthodontists, emphasize that simply changing tongue position is insufficient to correct misaligned teeth or reshape the jaw. [Source: American Association of Orthodontists, Health.com, Reddit r/orthotropics, DentalReach.today, Medical News Today] While some studies explore tongue posture and muscle engagement, these don't confirm mewing's claimed aesthetic effects. [Source: DentalReach.today] One study mentioned a correlation between smaller palates and lower tongue posture, but this does not definitively prove that mewing reshapes the jaw. [Source: mewing.coach]
Potential Benefits and Misconceptions
- Muscle development: Mewing might lead to slight jaw muscle development. However, this is minimal and unlikely to produce significant facial changes. [Source: Reddit r/todayilearned]
- Not a replacement for orthodontics: Mewing is not a substitute for orthodontic treatment. Misaligned teeth or significant jaw problems require professional intervention. [Source: American Association of Orthodontists]
- It's not a scam (financially): Mewing itself doesn't involve financial transactions making it different from typical scams. However, the exaggerated claims surrounding its effects should be viewed with skepticism. [Source: Quora]
Conclusion
While the practice of mewing exists, the significant aesthetic changes claimed by its proponents are not currently supported by scientific evidence.
