In recent years, an ancient technique called “mewing” has gained significant attention for its potential to enhance facial appearance and promote overall well-being. Developed by Dr. John Mew, a British orthodontist, mewing involves maintaining proper tongue posture to stimulate proper growth and alignment of the face and jaw.
This article aims to shed light on this phenomenon and answer the five most frequently asked questions about how mewing works. Whether you’re curious about the benefits, techniques, or potential risks associated with mewing, we’ve got you covered.
Table of Contents
What is mewing?
Mewing refers to the practice of placing the tongue in the correct position against the roof of the mouth, exerting a gentle upward force. The technique aims to optimize facial development by ensuring proper alignment of the jaw, teeth, and overall facial structure.
By maintaining this tongue posture, individuals may influence the growth of their facial bones positively. This technique is believed to stimulate the growth of the maxilla (upper jaw) forward and upward, resulting in a more defined jawline, improved facial symmetry, and potentially even enhanced breathing and posture.
How do you mew correctly?
Achieving proper tongue posture is crucial for effective mewing. Start by placing the entire surface of your tongue on the roof of your mouth, ensuring it touches the area behind the front teeth and extends back to the soft palate.
Apply gentle, consistent upward pressure to maintain the posture throughout the day. It’s important to note that mewing should be practiced both during the day and while sleeping for optimal results.
Additionally, maintaining overall good facial and oral posture can complement the effects of mewing. This includes keeping the lips together, breathing through the nose, and maintaining correct swallowing patterns. It may take time and practice to develop muscle memory and make mewing a habit, but with persistence, it can become second nature.
What are the potential benefits of mewing?
Mewing is believed to offer a range of potential benefits. One of the primary advantages is the potential for improved facial aesthetics. By promoting proper facial development, mewing can enhance jawline definition, reduce asymmetry, and contribute to a more balanced appearance. Many individuals also report improved confidence and self-esteem as they see positive changes in their facial structure.
Additionally, mewing may have potential health benefits. It is thought to assist in optimizing breathing patterns, especially by expanding the airways and encouraging nasal breathing. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals with sleep apnea or other breathing-related issues. Furthermore, proper tongue posture and associated muscle strength can positively impact overall posture, potentially reducing the risk of neck and back pain.
Are there any risks or considerations associated with mewing?
While mewing is generally considered safe, it is essential to approach it with caution and consider individual circumstances. Some people may experience temporary discomfort or muscle soreness as their jaw pain tongue and facial muscles adjust to the new posture. However, any severe or prolonged pain should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
It is crucial to note that mewing alone may not be a comprehensive solution for significant orthodontic issues or structural abnormalities. In such cases, it is recommended to consult with an orthodontist or healthcare provider to explore suitable treatment options.
How long does it take to see results with mewing?
It depends. Factors such as age, genetics, consistency in practicing correct tongue posture, and overall oral posture habits can influence the timeline. Some individuals report observing subtle changes within a few months, while others may require more extended periods of consistent practice.
Consistency and patience are key when it comes to mewing. It is important to remember that facial development and changes occur gradually, and expecting overnight transformations may lead to disappointment. Regularly documenting your progress through photographs can help track changes over time and serve as a motivating factor.
Mewing, a technique focused on maintaining proper tongue posture, has attracted significant attention for its potential to enhance facial appearance and improve overall well-being. By addressing the most frequently asked questions about mewing, we have provided a comprehensive understanding of this practice.
While mewing holds promise for facial development and potential health benefits, it is essential to approach it with realistic expectations and consult with healthcare professionals for personalized advice.
Ultimately, the decision to incorporate mewing into your daily routine should be based on careful consideration and individual goals. With consistent practice and patience, mewing may unlock a range of benefits, leading to improved facial aesthetics and overall self-confidence.
How to Mew Correctly:
Step 1: Find the correct tongue posture Place the entire surface of your tongue on the roof of your mouth. Ensure that the back of your tongue is touching the soft palate, and the tip of your tongue is resting against the area just behind your front teeth. This creates a suction-like seal.
Step 2: Maintain consistent upward pressure Apply a gentle, but consistent upward pressure with your tongue against the roof of your mouth. This helps maintain the proper tongue posture throughout the day. Remember to exert this pressure while both awake and asleep for optimal results.
Step 3: Keep your lips together Maintain closed lips while practicing mewing. This encourages nasal breathing and prevents mouth breathing, which can interfere with proper tongue posture. Breathing through your nose is crucial for promoting proper facial and jaw development.
Step 4: Breathe through your nose Make a conscious effort to breathe through your nose rather than your mouth. Nasal breathing helps to maintain proper tongue posture and encourages the development of the upper jaw and airway.
Step 5: Practice consistently and be patient Developing proper tongue posture and making mewing a habit takes time and practice. It is essential to be consistent with your mewing technique and patient with the results. Progress can vary from person to person, so stay committed and give it time to see the potential benefits.
Remember, these steps are basic guidelines for practicing mewing correctly. It is advisable to consult with a coach for personalized guidance based on your individual needs and goals.
How mewing relates to good self-healing habits and overall well-being:
Improved Breathing and Airway Health
Mewing promotes proper tongue posture and nasal breathing, which can have a positive impact on breathing patterns and airway health. By keeping the tongue on the roof of the mouth, mewing helps expand the airways and encourages nasal breathing.
This can be particularly beneficial for individuals with sleep apnea or other breathing-related issues. By optimizing breathing and ensuring a healthy airflow, mewing supports overall respiratory health, and oxygenation, and may contribute to better sleep quality and overall well-being.
Posture Alignment
Maintaining proper tongue posture through mewing can also have a positive impact on overall posture. The tongue’s position on the roof of the mouth helps stabilize the jaw, align the head, neck, and spine, and activate the postural muscles in the face and neck region.
By practicing mewing consistently, individuals can develop better muscle tone and control, potentially reducing the risk of neck and back pain, and promoting overall postural alignment.
Facial Aesthetics and Self-Confidence
Mewing is often associated with enhanced facial aesthetics and improved self-confidence. By promoting proper facial development, mewing can contribute to a more defined jawline, reduced asymmetry, and improved facial symmetry.
These changes can have a significant impact on one’s self-image and self-esteem. When individuals feel more satisfied with their facial appearance, it can positively influence their overall sense of well-being and confidence in social interactions.
It’s important to note that while mewing can potentially have positive effects on self-healing habits and well-being, individual results may vary. It is advisable to approach mewing as part of a holistic approach to overall health, including proper oral hygiene, regular exercise, and a balanced lifestyle.
Mewing Exercises
Here are two effective mewing exercises along with step-by-step instructions:
Tongue Press Exercise:
Step 1: Begin by sitting or standing in a comfortable position with your spine straight.
Step 2: Relax your facial muscles and keep your lips gently closed.
Step 3: Lift the back of your tongue and press it firmly against the roof of your mouth, just behind your front teeth.
Step 4: While maintaining this position, apply a gentle but consistent upward pressure with your tongue against the roof of your mouth.
Step 5: Hold this position for 5-10 seconds, focusing on the sensation of your tongue pressing against the roof of your mouth.
Step 6: Release the pressure and relax your tongue.
Step 7: Repeat this exercise for 10-15 repetitions, gradually increasing the duration of each hold as you become more comfortable.
Tongue Chewing Exercise:
Step 1: Begin by sitting or standing with good posture.
Step 2: Relax your facial muscles and keep your lips gently closed.
Step 3: Place the entire surface of your tongue on the roof of your mouth, with the back of your tongue touching the soft palate and the tip of your tongue resting against the area just behind your front teeth.
Step 4: Start making a chewing motion with your tongue, pressing it against the roof of your mouth.
Step 5: Continue this chewing motion for 20-30 seconds, focusing on the muscles of your tongue and the sensation of movement.
Step 6: Relax your tongue and take a short break.
Step 7: Repeat this exercise for 5-10 sets, gradually increasing the duration of each chewing motion as you progress.
Remember to practice these exercises consistently, ideally multiple times a day, to develop muscle memory and strengthen the muscles involved in mewing. It is important to approach these exercises with patience and listen to your body. If you experience any discomfort or pain, adjust the intensity or duration accordingly.
Mewing tongue positions
Here are two commonly recommended mewing tongue positions:
The Full Tongue Posture:
This tongue position involves placing the entire surface of the tongue against the roof of the mouth.
Position your tongue by touching the entire upper surface of your tongue against the roof of your mouth.
Ensure that the back of your tongue is elevated and touching the soft palate (the area at the back of the roof of your mouth).
The tip of your tongue should rest against the area just behind your front teeth.
Maintain a gentle but consistent upward pressure with your tongue against the roof of your mouth.
Keep your lips gently closed and practice nasal breathing while maintaining this posture.
The Spot Mewing Technique:
This technique focuses on placing specific spots of the tongue against the roof of the mouth.
Start by placing the tip of your tongue against the spot just behind your front teeth.
Then, move your tongue backward so that the middle of your tongue is touching the roof of your mouth.
Gradually, continue to move your tongue further back until the back third of your tongue rests against the soft palate.
Apply gentle, consistent upward pressure with the specific spots of your tongue that are in contact with the roof of your mouth.
Keep your lips closed and practice nasal breathing while maintaining this tongue posture.
Both of these tongue positions aim to create a suction-like seal and encourage proper tongue posture throughout the day. It’s important to note that the specific tongue position that works best for each individual may vary slightly.
Submaxillary Tongue Posture:
This tongue position focuses on exerting pressure on the submaxillary glands located underneath the chin.
Start by placing the entire surface of your tongue against the roof of your mouth, similar to the full tongue posture.
While maintaining this position, apply additional pressure with the middle and back portion of your tongue against the roof of your mouth.
Simultaneously, exert gentle pressure with the underside of your tongue against the submaxillary glands, which are located underneath the chin.
Maintain this tongue posture and pressure throughout the day, practicing both during wakefulness and while sleeping.
The Butterfly Technique:
The butterfly technique involves placing the sides of your tongue against the roof of your mouth.
Begin by positioning your tongue against the roof of your mouth, similar to the full tongue posture.
Instead of having the entire tongue surface in contact, focus on pressing the sides of your tongue against the roof of your mouth.
Keep the center or midline of your tongue slightly elevated.
Apply gentle and consistent pressure with the sides of your tongue against the roof of your mouth.
Maintain this butterfly tongue posture and pressure while practicing nasal breathing and keeping your lips gently closed.
These additional tongue positions can complement the full tongue posture and provide variations in tongue placement. Experimenting with different tongue positions can help activate and engage different muscles within the tongue and improve overall tongue posture.
Mewing Before and After
Can Mewing Change Your Face Shape?
Mewing is a technique that is believed to potentially influence the facial appearance and promote proper facial development.
While it is commonly suggested that mewing can help improve facial symmetry, enhance jawline definition, and contribute to a more balanced face, it is important to understand that the extent of these changes may vary from person to person.
The primary goal of mewing is to maintain proper tongue posture by placing the tongue against the roof of the mouth.
This posture is believed to stimulate the growth of the maxilla (upper jaw) forward and upward, potentially affecting the facial shape of the jaw structure overall facial structure. By encouraging proper facial growth, mewing may have the potential to enhance facial aesthetics.
However, it is crucial to note that the effectiveness of mewing in changing face shape depends on various factors, including age, genetics, consistency in practicing mewing, and individual anatomical characteristics.
It is not a quick-fix solution and requires dedication and patience to potentially see noticeable changes.
It is also important to manage expectations and understand that mewing alone may not address significant structural abnormalities or severe orthodontic issues.
In such cases, it is advisable to consult with an orthodontist or coach professional who can provide appropriate guidance and suggest suitable treatment options.
Ultimately, the impact of mewing on changing face shape is a topic that still requires further scientific research and scientific evidence.