You may have heard about mewing from online trends that have been circulating social platforms. Mewing is a non-medical technique for reshaping your jaw with tongue movements and even making specific sounds. Videos of people using this method became popular on sites like Instagram and TikTok. We wanted to share information and caution to those who may consider trying this trend.
How Does Mewing Work?
People claim that if they flatten their tongue on the roof of their mouth and apply pressure to specific areas, they can reshape their jaw and even straighten teeth. Some suggest that making different sounds and using unique breathing techniques also help with the bone movement. These ideas were studied by British orthodontists, John and Michael Mew. They promoted a type of orthodontics called “orthotropics” that focuses on jaw alignment where you retrain your tongue position. However, their ideas were not accepted by Britain’s General Dental Council who took away the dental license of Dr. John Mew.
Is Mewing Safe?
According to the American Association of Orthodontists, there is no scientific evidence that mewing gives safe, long lasting results. Changing your jaw structure has serious consequences and it is always better to work with a specialized doctor who knows how to safely restructure it. We feel that most DIY trends can cause more harm than good. While the tongue is one of the strongest muscles in our body, we also have many small facial bones and soft tissues in our face. It is important that we account for all of the parts when changing bone structure. An orthodontist, like Dr. Lauren Olson, is going to be the safest option for moving bones in your mouth.
Tooth & Jaw Alignment
At Olson Orthodontics, we believe that anyone should be able to have the smile they have always wanted. We understand that orthodontic treatment is an investment and we are happy to review your options with you to help meet your unique needs. Give us a call today to set up your initial consultation where we will review your options with you and answer any questions you may have. We can’t wait to meet you! (618) 624-0800