Mewing is a trend that spans Tiktok, YouTube and Instagram. The practice consists of pressing the upper surface of the tongue against the roof of the mouth. It is said to improve breathing, relieve pain experienced in the muscles of the mouth, help define the contour of the jaw and bring proper alignment to the upper and lower rows of teeth.
Although it’s trending, mewing isn’t new, but it’s been around for quite some time, especially in the more hyper-masculine corners of the internet. However, its popularity has skyrocketed. Mewing has become the social media alternative to mainstream orthodontic treatments in recent months.
What is Mewing?
Mewing is the act of resting the lips in a certain position to produce a sound. When at rest, many individuals’ tongue naturally falls to the floor of their mouth. Their lips will also remain slightly open.
However, proponents of meowing claim that changing the position of the tongue can help correct a number of problems, including crooked teeth and sleep apnea. Meuers do not rest their tongues in their mouths as most people do; they put them on the roof instead. Both sets of teeth are impacted or very close together, with their lips pressed together.
Those who fart regularly use the term “proper tongue position” to describe this. In the same way that maintaining a healthy posture is critical to one’s well-being, some experts believe that the way one holds one’s tongue also has important implications for one’s well-being. People who regularly engage in mewing eventually condition their bodies to get into this position independently.
DIY waxers claim the process can give you a stronger chin and jawline without seeing a professional.
Mewing, which got its name from British orthodontist John Mew, is a trend that is both controversial and popular on social media. Although believers have embraced the “tongue stand” fad, many people have raised cosmetic or medical concerns about the practice.
However, most orthodontists and facial reconstructive surgeons support the claim that mewing is a successful substitute for orthognathic (jaw straightening) surgery or conventional tooth straightening therapy.
What exactly does Mewing do?
Mewing is the subject of a growing online movement supported by enthusiasts from around the world. The purpose of mewing is to achieve a therapeutic or aesthetic advantage.
They claim that if you are patient and keep a constant practice with the position of the tongue, it can significantly change the structure of your face.
Following are some of the sought-after cosmetic benefits of mewing for both adults and children:
- An attractive profile of a well-defined jaw
- Reinforcement of the mid-face area due to pronounced malar eminences
Below is a list of stated conditions that can be treated with scratching:
- Sleep apnea
- Having difficulty swallowing
- Speech problems
- Jaw joint problems include discomfort
- Sinusitis
Does it work?
Most of the YouTube celebrities who are popularizing the practice of miming are not board-certified dentists, orthodontists, or maxillofacial surgeons. Any individual who recommends surgery to correct facial bone abnormalities is making a mistake unless they have the proper credentials or a dental license.
Facial reshaping, especially for aesthetic reasons, often requires oral and maxillofacial surgery. The same goes for chin or jaw surgery to realign an improperly positioned jaw or straighten crooked teeth.
To complete therapy for crooked teeth, the patient will need to wear orthodontic appliances such as braces or aligners after surgery to straighten the teeth. By any stretch of the imagination, there is insufficient evidence to claim that tongue posture exercises can serve as a substitute for these more traditional forms of therapy. If you have a medical condition or any abnormality or pain in your teeth or jaw, you should make an appointment with an orthodontist or a doctor to solve the problem.
These doubts do not indicate that language attitudes have no therapeutic value. Oral appliances that hold the tongue in a certain position while the patient sleeps can help some people with sleep disorders breathe better.
Moreover, some present skeptics of orthotropy think that the notion is not entirely strange. Many have said it even has the potential to advance jaw surgery in the years to come.
How to do the technique
According to orthotropic, the placement of the jaw and tongue that is essential for ideal facial contouring is not determined by your genetic makeup. You can overcome this problem by rallying by cultivating an atmosphere that allows your jawline to grow and become more defined.
These are the honey steps:
- Relax and press your lips together.
- Tongue placement: With lips and teeth together, push your tongue to the roof of your mouth.
- Repeat these steps as often as possible, as much as possible.
Your tongue should gradually learn to rest on the roof of your mouth instead of the floor. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can look at exercises that adjust how the jaw, face and chest are positioned.
You can also look at eating stronger foods to help your jaw if you have a smaller jaw. Additional face and mouth posture exercises teach you to position your face and body correctly.
Conclusion
Mewing has gained popularity among those who want to improve their respiratory health conditions, correct orthodontic tooth movement or improve a misaligned jaw. Although there are several peer-reviewed studies on the problems it aims to solve, it is still an unproven method.
Internet miing advocates may publicly denigrate more traditional practices while presenting miing as a media alternative to orthognathic surgery. You cannot change the shape of your face without some form of surgical treatment. The scientific evidence about mewing is not sound. It is best to discuss it with your qualified health care provider as they promote understanding.
Subscribe to our newsletters! Get updates straight to your inbox
