Does Mewing Actually Work?

Summary

The video explores the trend of mewing, a technique claiming to reshape facial structure and improve jawline without surgery, named after the Muse family of orthodontists. It emphasizes the importance of tongue posture and jaw exercises, linking these practices to the broader field of orthotropics, which aims to enhance facial growth through natural methods. However, the video cautions that while early adoption may yield benefits, the effectiveness significantly diminishes in adulthood. It also warns against relying on mewing for serious health issues, highlighting the need for traditional medical interventions and the potential risks associated with over-exercising the jaw.

Takeaways

• 😀 Mewing is a technique that claims to reshape the jaw and improve facial aesthetics without surgery, primarily involving tongue posture.
• 😀 The term 'mewing' comes from the Mew family, orthodontists who advocate for this practice as part of orthotropics.
• 😀 Orthotropics suggests that facial form can be influenced by environmental factors and proper oral posture, contrasting with traditional orthodontics.
• 😀 Traditional orthodontics focuses on mechanically aligning teeth using braces, often involving extractions and surgery, whereas orthotropics emphasizes natural growth guidance.
• 😀 Many advocates of mewing believe it can lead to a more defined jawline and better overall facial structure over time.
• 😀 Skeptics argue that the potential for facial changes diminishes significantly after adolescence, with most growth occurring by age 16.
• 😀 Excessive jaw exercises, like using dog chews, may harm the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and lead to arthritis or other dental issues.
• 😀 Mewing and orthotropics have not been proven through rigorous longitudinal studies, raising concerns about their effectiveness.
• 😀 Factors contributing to conditions like obstructive sleep apnea and nasal obstruction often extend beyond tongue posture, necessitating medical intervention.
• 😀 While mewing may offer some benefits for younger individuals, relying on it in adulthood can provide a false sense of control over facial anatomy.

Q & A

What is mewing?

Mewing is a technique that involves positioning the tongue against the roof of the mouth to potentially reshape the jaw and improve facial structure without surgery.

Who are the proponents of mewing?

Mewing is named after Dr. John and Dr. Mike Mew, orthodontists from the UK who promote the practice as part of their orthotropic approach.

How is mewing supposed to work?

Mewing works by encouraging proper tongue posture and chewing, which are believed to support mid-face development and promote a more defined jawline.

What are the key differences between orthotropics and traditional orthodontics?

Orthotropics focuses on natural growth guidance and preventive strategies to align teeth and improve facial structure, while traditional orthodontics uses mechanical methods like braces and surgery to align teeth.

What are some claimed benefits of mewing?

Advocates of mewing claim it can lead to improved jawline definition, better teeth alignment, and enhanced facial aesthetics over time.

Is there scientific support for the claims made about mewing?

Currently, there is no robust scientific evidence or longitudinal studies directly comparing the effectiveness of mewing and traditional orthodontic methods.

What are the potential risks associated with mewing?

Potential risks include TMJ issues and other dental problems due to excessive jaw exercises, and reliance on mewing for serious conditions like obstructive sleep apnea can be dangerous.

At what age is mewing most effective?

Mewing is believed to be most effective when started early in life, ideally during the teenage years, as most significant facial growth occurs by the age of 16.

What does the script say about the viral mewing trends on social media?

The script notes that many viral mewing results seen on social media are likely exaggerated or faked through deceptive imaging techniques, casting doubt on their authenticity.

What should individuals with obstructive sleep apnea consider instead of mewing?

Individuals with obstructive sleep apnea should seek traditional medical treatments, such as CPAP machines, rather than relying solely on mewing, as it may not address the underlying issues.