Mewing: What is it and does it help shape the jaw?

Be it jaw pain or other orthodontic concerns or even cosmetic reasons like getting a defined jaw, mewing is a technique that is said to be the solution to many problems. Although this method of oral posture training is not backed up by much scientific research, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) states that tongue alignment can change the shape of your jaw and facial structure, but only to a certain extent.

Mewing is a technique that involves a specific position of the tongue, which must be maintained while performing all activities such as eating and drinking water. Habit, of course, takes time to develop. Oral and dental surgeon Dr Arijit Sengupta explains the origin of mewing to health shots and the claims it makes.

What is mewing?

Meowing is a facial technique where the tongue is flush against the roof of your mouth. As for mewing, proponents of the technique claim that if you meow, you can change the shape of your face and get a more refined jawline. “There is also a claim that mewing can help with jaw pain, orthodontic problems as well as breathing problems,” says Dr Sengupta.

Mewing doctors claim that today’s mouth breathing and eating soft foods are making people’s jaws smaller. This leads to tooth crowding. According to online buzz, meowing helps expand the jaw and straighten the teeth.

Also Read: Try these 5 face exercises to reduce face fat and get a jowl

Also read

What is the origin of mewing?

The history of mewing can be traced back to the 1970s courtesy of Dr. John Mew, a professor at the London School of Facial Orthotropics. He created the technique and coined the term; ‘Orthotropics’. His son Mike Mew helps his patients reshape their face and jaw by using oral postures and exercises.

how about meow

According to the London School of Facial Orthotropics, here are the basic steps to practice mewing.

1. Close your mouth, including the lips, so that your teeth touch and your lips are closed.
2. Relax your tongue completely.
3. Place the body of your tongue on the roof of your mouth, placing the tip of your tongue behind the upper front teeth.
4. Continue this pose for as long as possible and repeat it regularly.

According to Mewing’s theory, following these steps can lead to straighter teeth and better facial structure. Changes are seen in 14 months to two years. However, maintaining this position is not easy and one has to train oneself to gain consistency.

What does science say about meowing?

There is no major scientific research behind Mewing or its claimed achievements. “Overtime there may be some cases where the physiological changes in the jaw that occur naturally improve facial aesthetics rather than mewing,” says Dr. Sengupta.

In fact, the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery states that the General Dental Council in the UK revoked his dental license because of these unusual methods he promoted for solving dental problems. The council also notes that changing the position of your tongue won’t correct misaligned teeth or the shape of your jaw.

Also read: Noticed a sudden gap between your teeth? Learn why this happens and how to prevent it

What can go wrong with mewing?

If you have dental problems, it is important that you consult a doctor and get your answers. Many things can go wrong when following a technique that is not yet studied and tested, asserts Dr. Sengupta.

Improper mewing can lead to the same problems it was originally intended to treat, namely:

1. Malocclusions (Misaligned Teeth)
2. A misaligned bite
3. Pain in the jaw joints and surrounding muscles and ligaments, known as TMJ (temporomandibular joint) pain.
4. Loose teeth
5. Speech problems
6. Swallowing problems

These pose a serious threat to a person’s daily activities, thereby disrupting the entire facial and dental system. Visiting a dental surgeon is safer and more effective until further studies and research come up with a definitive result and technique.